Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 11 (PTI) The BJP on Friday sought the resignation of CPI(M) veteran Pinarayi Vijayan as Leader of Opposition over the ED's latest move in the CMRL-linked case, while the Marxist party accused the central agency of pursuing a "political agenda" against its leaders.

BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, in a Facebook post, said the opposition's responsibility was to hold the V D Satheesan-led UDF government accountable and not defend corruption allegations against its own leader.

"If the Opposition is led by a leader facing corruption allegations, what will be the subject of discussions in the Assembly? Will the daily discussions be reduced to justifying personal corruption?" he asked.

Chandrasekhar, one of the three BJP MLAs in the state Assembly, said the BJP/NDA was also part of the opposition and alleged that the allegations against Vijayan were paralysing the functioning of the entire opposition.

"Our main duty over the next four-five years is to point out the mistakes of Chief Minister V D Satheesan and his government, question them responsibly and force the Congress-League government to fulfil the promises made to the people of Kerala," he said.

Chandrasekhar said Vijayan should quit the Leader of Opposition post to protect democratic institutions and fulfil his responsibility towards Kerala.

His remarks came days after the ED wrote to the Kerala police chief seeking registration of an FIR against former Chief Minister Vijayan, his daughter T Veena, son-in-law P A Mohammed Riyas and others in connection with the CMRL-linked case.

The ED sought registration of the FIR based on "evidence" recovered during its probe and searches conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), sources said.

Meanwhile, BJP national secretary K Surendran alleged that the UDF government was adopting a "soft approach" to the ED's recommendation to register a case in the CMRL matter.

Speaking to reporters in Kozhikode, he said the information furnished by the ED warranted an investigation under the Prevention of Corruption Act, but alleged that the state government was deliberately delaying action.

Surendran alleged there was a "hidden motive" behind the delay and claimed that the government was trying to prolong the probe.

The BJP leader alleged that crores of rupees paid by CMRL to a company linked to Veena were not payments for services rendered but bribes received through abuse of power, causing loss to the state.

He also alleged that the money had been transferred abroad and questioned the government's decision to subject the ED recommendation to legal scrutiny.

Surendran further alleged that the government lacked the will to act and was "afraid of someone", claiming that it was concerned that a Vigilance probe could eventually reach UDF leaders.

"What is the delay in registering a case and conducting an investigation," he asked, alleging that both the LDF and UDF had a role in the matter.

However, CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan alleged that the ED's modus operandi of threatening people and creating false statements to register cases against political opponents had now come to light.

In a statement, Govindan said a statement given by a businessman in the CMRL case had revealed that he had been threatened by the ED officials to make his daughter an accused in the case.

He alleged that the manner in which statements were recorded in the presence of armed CRPF personnel, with the persons being questioned allegedly denied access to lawyers, was "unheard of".

He alleged that the ED had adopted a similar method in cases against AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal by threatening approvers and that the same approach was now being followed in Keralam.

Govindan said the central agency had earlier recommended registration of cases to the Tamil Nadu and Punjab governments in different matters, but those governments had rejected the recommendations after understanding the "political nature" of the ED.

He also questioned the Congress over its stand on the alleged political use of central agencies.

Senior CPI(M) leader K N Balagopal also extended support to Vijayan and his family and alleged that the ED was pursuing a "political agenda" in Kerala and targeting political opponents.

Balagopal told media here that attempts had been made for a long time to personally target Vijayan and alleged that the ED was being used to eliminate political rivals.

He claimed that several cases pursued by the agency had no substance and alleged that political leaders in states including Punjab had been targeted using the ED.

Balagopal also accused the Congress of joining hands with the central agency to create favourable conditions against political opponents.

Rejecting allegations regarding a diary linked to Veena, he said it contained no secret document. He also claimed that information had emerged that several statements in the case were extracted under pressure.

The Congress had a practice of joining hands with the BJP to target the CPI(M), he alleged. PTI LGK ROH