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Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 14 (IANS) CPI-M general secretary MA Baby and KPCC president Sunny Joseph on Tuesday criticized the manner in which the Enforcement Directorate (ED) was handling the summons issued against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s son Vivek Kiran Vijayan.
Baby accused the media of acting as an ED agent and rejected reports about the summons and said he had not confirmed receipt of it.
“The newspaper which first published this news is suffering from ‘mental disorder’. A section of the media is adopting the UDF propaganda,” Baby said.
Baby emphasized that clarity came to light on all matters after the Chief Minister responded to these allegations.
However, Joseph accused the Chief Minister of using political influence to suppress the ED summons.
“The summons sent to the chief minister’s son was quashed using political power. If it is not true, let them prove it,” Joseph said. He claimed that this was part of a political understanding between the state government and the Centre.
Joseph insisted that the notice sought bank account and property details and it was sent to the chief minister’s official residence.
“When the first summons is not accepted, the ED usually issues a second summons. If that too is ignored, then there are warrants and arrests. The public has every right to know what happened. Both the ED and the chief minister have to give an explanation,” he said.
The KPCC chief also sought clarity on whether follow-up on the summons is pending or whether the case has been closed, raising questions on the basis for any closure.
Highlighting the contradictions between the statements of Baby and Finance Minister KN Balagopal, Joseph said, “While the Chief Minister gives clean chit to his children, his daughter faces a money-laundering case, and the documents against his son are already public. He cannot deny it,” Joseph said.
The heated exchange underlines the rising political tensions in Kerala, with the opposition demanding transparency and accountability over the sensitive investigation involving the chief minister’s family, while the ruling party seeks to defend its handling of the case.
–IANS
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