Kozhikode (Keralam), Aug 23 (PTI) The CPI(M) on Sunday accused the ED of "politically targeting" Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan in the CMRL money laundering case.

The Left party organised a meeting in Kozhikode following the Enforcement Directorate's money laundering probe into Vijayan's daughter Veena T and Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited.

Speaking at the event, CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan alleged that the ED was conducting the investigation with an ulterior political motive and claimed that the probe against Veena was aimed at targeting the former CM and his son-in-law, MLA P A Muhammed Riyas.

"Politics is the only game being played to turn this into a case without any evidence. That is the politics we strongly oppose," he said.

Govindan said the ED's practice of issuing press releases during an ongoing investigation was unusual.

"What the ED is doing here is a strange stance. That strange stance comes in the form of press releases. Conducting an investigation, twisting and elaborating on matters that have no basis or evidence, and propagating them as if major evidence has been found to create a smokescreen," he said.

He alleged that nothing was found during searches conducted at the residences of Vijayan and Riyas on May 27.

Govindan alleged that the ED had made little progress in the CMRL case and said the latest searches were an attempt to create a new narrative.

He was referring to searches conducted last week at nine locations, including the residences of people associated with Riyas.

"What did you get? You issued a press release saying, ‘We got it.’ What did you get? Apart from issuing a press note to create suspicion, you have received nothing," he said.

Govindan alleged that those questioned during the searches were intimidated and claimed that the ED was attempting to create a new line of investigation by referring to 'hawala'.

He alleged that the ED was now targeting Riyas because he was Vijayan's son-in-law.

"But now, it is not just Vijayan. You are trying to frame Muhammed Riyas—a CPI(M) State Secretariat member, former minister and MLA—just because he is Vijayan's son-in-law. We will face that attempt politically as well," he said.

Govindan defended CPI(M) leaders and workers whom he said were being targeted in connection with the searches.

He referred to the long-pending SNC-Lavalin case involving Vijayan, which was investigated by the CBI, and alleged that the ED would similarly prolong the present case for decades.

Govindan said the CMRL-related case would be dealt with by the company and reiterated that the CPI(M) would oppose what he described as political targeting of its leaders and workers.

He said the meeting was organised as part of a political campaign to explain to the public that such alleged attempts by the ED would not be accepted by society.

Govindan alleged that the ED did not examine the facts before initiating investigations.

"The case is being initiated with a political target in mind. Usually, the facts of a case are examined, and based on that, everything else follows. But in ED cases, that is absent. They declare the target. After declaring that target, the investigation follows," he said.

Govindan alleged that the BJP was using the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, with the help of the ED, to target political leaders, particularly those from opposition parties.

"There are no cases against BJP leaders under the law. Upon checking, nearly 95 per cent were against opposition party leaders. Not a single one was against a BJP member. One cannot say that they are people who haven't carried out money laundering," he said.

He alleged that the BJP spent more than Rs 4 crore during the Kerala Assembly election in priority constituencies as part of its campaign and claimed that the money was unaccounted for.

The ED did not initiate any probe, he said.

"The present ED is not a truthful agency that the people of India can rely on. They are adopting a partisan and political stance," he said. PTI TBA SSK