Protests across India as former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan’s residence raided

Raids by the Indian Enforcement Directorate at former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s residence triggered widespread protests and clashes in Thiruvananthapuram and across Kerala and India as well as solidarity statements from other Indian politicians and international political parties like the Communist Party of Sri Lanka.

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has denounced the raids as a politically motivated vendetta.

New Delhi:

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) strongly protested today against the raid conducted by the ED at the residence of former Kerala Chief Minister and CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Pinarayi Vijayan at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) headquarters. The protest was led by CPI(M) General Secretary M.A. Baby.

During the protest, Delhi Police detained the demonstrators. Those detained included senior leader Brinda Karat, Polit Bureau members Ashok Dhawale, Mariam Dhawale and Vijoo Krishnan, Central Committee members Vikram Singh, and Delhi State secretary Anurag Saxena. More than one hundred protesters were also detained.

Addressing the gathering, M.A. Baby strongly condemned the action carried out by the ED under the direction of the central government and stated that the raid on Pinarayi Vijayan’s residence was a politically motivated act of vendetta. He pointed out that courts have repeatedly observed that Pinarayi Vijayan has absolutely no connection with the Exalogic case, yet the political witch-hunt against him continues unabated. He is now being targeted even for being Veena’s father.

He further stated that such an action taking place immediately after Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s meeting with the Prime Minister in Delhi raises serious questions and appears to be a politically orchestrated drama. Several individuals whose names reportedly appeared in the CMRL diary continue to hold important positions in the state government. However, while ignoring all of them, the continuous targeting of Pinarayi Vijayan further exposes the political vendetta behind these actions.

He said that the party has no intention whatsoever of obstructing any investigation process. However, the blatant misuse of central agencies by the central government for political targeting cannot be accepted. The party will mobilize people and organize strong protests across the country against the selective targeting of opposition leaders and the attacks on democratic rights.

On the Enforcement Directorate raids targeting Comrade Pinarayi Vijayan

The Communist Party of Sri Lanka strongly condemns the raids carried out by India's Enforcement Directorate on the residence of Comrade Pinarayi Vijayan, senior Politburo member of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and former Chief Minister of Kerala.

Comrade Vijayan has stood as a principled voice in defence of the workers, peasants and oppressed people of Kerala. Successive Left Democratic Front governments have shown the world that a pro-people alternative is possible. It is precisely this example that the forces of reaction find intolerable.

We extend our warmest revolutionary greetings and unwavering solidarity to Comrade Vijayan, to the CPI(M), and to the workers and peasants of Kerala. We know that intimidation will not silence the Left. The red flag will continue to fly over Kerala and be defended.

Hands off Comrade Pinarayi Vijayan!