Insights into the ED Probe: Political Motives, Concerns, and Bias
Diverse Perspectives and Critiques on the Enforcement Directorate's Investigation
Thiruvananthapuram: The leader of the opposition, V.D. Satheesan, said that the ED probe into the Monthly Bribe case probe by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was only a political ploy. He made fun of the idea that this lawsuit is just the BJP and CPM trying to demonstrate their disagreements with one another. Meanwhile, Muvattupuzha MLA Mathew Kuzhalnathan stated that although the ED has announced an investigation, he is not overly excited about it.
Satheesan questioned what had happened to ED’s investigations into the Karuvannur Co-operative Bank fraud, gold smuggling case, and Life Mission allegations. He pointed out that ED’s approach is only different in Kerala and highlighted that ED has a different approach towards Pinarayi Vijayan than it does towards Arvind Kejriwal and P. Chidambaram.
“It would be better if there was an investigation into the allegations related to the case. But nothing is certainly going to happen in this matter. There are intermediaries to settle everything. Union Minister V. Muraleedharan is also an intermediary. The father and daughter have yet to be given a single notice. The reason for this is the publicity relationship between the CPM and the BJP,” Satheesan said.
Kuzhalnathan’s Reservations: Timing and Context
Meanwhile, the complainant, Muvattupuzha MLA Mathew Kuzhalnathan, said he was not overly enthusiastic about the ED investigation. He questioned why the incident was not investigated before ED’s involvement. Kuzhalnadan pointed out that even though the investigation has been announced, it remains to be seen what is being investigated and its purpose. He opined that the context of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections should also be considered.
The opposition leader and Mathew Kuzhalnadu’s reaction came from ED’s Kochi unit registering an ECIR against the allegations involving Veena Vijayan. ED announced the inquiry while the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) probe was in progress. The action is based on the reports of the Income Tax Department.
Govindan’s Allegations
CPM State Secretary MV Govindan said that the ED is working like a mercenary of the central government. In a press conference, he stated that the job belongs to the ED, but the salary belongs to the BJP. Govindan claimed that this is the condition of all central agencies. According to him, the BJP is threatening people with ED.
He cited Kejriwal’s arrest as an example, which he claimed was based on the statement of liquor dealer Sarath Chandra Reddy. Reddy, who initially said he did not know Kejriwal, later recanted and was granted bail. Govindan also alleged that the BJP received crores of election bonds through Sarath Chandra Reddy. He said that with Kejriwal’s arrest, India is getting humiliated in front of the world countries. Govindan added that Germany and then America took a stand on this issue.
Govindan further stated that electoral bonds are the biggest scam in the country, and along with the BJP, Congress also has a stake in this. He claimed the BJP received 8251 crores, while the Congress got 1952 crores from electoral bonds. And then questioned where these crores had gone, as Congress is now crying there is no money for expenses. Govindan also alleged that Congress even accepted money from Santiago Martin and that money was collected from counterfeiters and criminals.
