A new political conflict has started in Kerala due to the Kerala High Court's order to register an FIR in the financial transactions case of CMRL-Exalogic. The Congress-led government has promised to review the order. At the same time, CPIM has raised questions on the process and BJP has demanded the resignation of former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
The court also took a tough stance and canceled the SIT formed by the Crime Branch of Kerala Police in this case and ordered the Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to register an FIR.
Soon after the verdict on Friday, state Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the government would study the court order before deciding on further action. He rejected that the decision was a setback for the government.
He asked, “I have not seen the High Court order. When it comes, we will look at it and take necessary action. Is it not necessary to check the details of the order?”
Chennithala said that when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had first sent its message demanding action, he had forwarded it to the state police chief, who had taken legal opinion before deciding to initiate an initial investigation.
“The opinion we got was to initiate a preliminary inquiry and we did the same. Now the court is saying something else. Let the order come and we will take necessary action,” he said.
He further said, “This is not a setback for the government. We had taken action after taking legal opinion and we will do the same in future also.”
Senior CPIM leader and close aide of Vijayan M.V. Jayarajan questioned the court's decision to issue directions without listening to the former chief minister or others concerned.
Jayarajan said, “We all know how the ED works. The court has given the order, but neither Vijayan nor anyone else was heard before issuing it. Therefore, the question of violation of natural justice arises.”
He said that CPIM will continue to fight this matter both legally and politically. However, senior BJP MLA and former Union Minister V. Muraleedharan said that after the court order, CPI(M) will spread baseless rumors.
Muraleedharan asked, “If the CPIM feels that Vijayan was not heard, then why did he not make himself a party to the case, when he could have done so?”
BJP state vice president Shon George said Vijayan has no moral right to continue as the opposition leader after the court ordered the registration of an FIR.
He alleged that the case involved corruption and black money-related transactions during the tenure of the previous government. George said that if Vijayan has even the slightest sense of moral responsibility, he should step down.
The High Court order directed the Special Investigation Team of the state Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau to register an FIR and investigate CMRL, Xlogic, Vijayan, his daughter Veena, her husband and CPIM MLA P.A. The way has been cleared to investigate the allegations related to Mohammad Riyas and others.
It is expected that this order will further intensify the political debate regarding the allegations and the next step of the state government. All eyes are on the nine-day session of the Assembly starting from Monday, as it will prove to be a big weapon for the ruling party to attack Vijayan and the Left.