Tension erupted outside the rented residence of veteran CPI(M) leader and former Pinarayi Vijayan in Kerala on Wednesday after Enforcement Directorate (ED) officials conducted raids linked to the alleged Exalogic-CMRL financial transactions case.
Soon after the searches ended, CPI(M) workers and sympathisers allegedly attacked vehicles carrying ED officials as the convoy attempted to leave the area. According to eyewitnesses, protesters smashed vehicle windowpanes using sticks and stones while police personnel initially remained passive spectators. Three vehicles accompanying the ED team were damaged, and central security personnel, drivers and a few police officials sustained injuries in the violence. One driver reportedly suffered an eye injury after being hit by broken glass shards.
Despite the attack, ED officials managed to leave the area and later reached a local police station where statements regarding the incident were recorded. Police subsequently launched a crackdown and detained several protesters, while some CPI(M) workers reportedly took shelter inside a nearby party office to evade arrest.
The violence unfolded in the presence of senior CPI(M) leaders and further escalated political tensions surrounding the ongoing ED probe into alleged financial dealings involving Vijayan's daughter Veena Vijayan and the Exalogic-CMRL payment row.
The ED carried out searches at multiple locations linked to Vijayan, Veena Vijayan and former Kerala minister and son-in-law PA Mohammed Riyas as part of the investigation. The raids triggered statewide protests by CPI(M) workers and sharp political exchanges between the ruling CPI(M) and the BJP.
CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby condemned the ED action, accusing the BJP-led Centre of using central agencies for political vendetta and intimidation against opposition leaders. The party described the raids as "a calculated assault on federalism, democracy, and the constitutional right to political opposition."
Meanwhile, senior BJP leader V. Muraleedharan questioned the CPI(M)'s reaction and demanded clarification over the alleged payments made by CMRL to Veena Vijayan. "If your hands are clean, why panic?" he asked.
PA Mohammed Riyas, in a Facebook post, said CPI(M) workers would continue their fight against the Sangh Parivar and would not be intimidated by such actions.
The incident has intensified the political storm in Kerala, with protests by CPI(M) workers and trade union activists continuing across the state following the ED action against Vijayan and his family members.
(With inputs from IANS)
