While the CPI(M) Party Congress is underway in neighboring Tamil Nadu, a political storm erupted in Kerala as a Malayalam news channel reported that the Ministry of Corporate Affairs had granted permission to prosecute Veena T, daughter of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in the infamous CMRL payoff case. This approval was based on a report by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), which was submitted to the Special Court for Economic Offences in Kochi.
According to the SFIO’s findings, Veena and her firm, Exalogic Solutions, received ₹2.73 crore from the controversial firm CMRL, led by Sasidharan Kartha, without providing any services in return.
Veena, Exalogic, Kartha, and CMRL have all been charged under Section 447 of the Companies Act, which pertains to financial fraud.
With prosecution sanctioned, trial proceedings can now begin at the Economic Crimes Court in Kochi, and summons may soon be issued to the accused, including Veena Vijayan.
Notably, the SFIO report also uncovered alleged financial irregularities amounting to ₹182 crore in the accounts of firms linked to Kartha.
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The opposition in Kerala has already demanded the Chief Minister’s resignation, alleging that he accepted bribes through his daughter’s firm.
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala even urged CPI(M) delegates at the Madurai Party Congress to urgently find a replacement for the Chief Minister.
Notably, when the Party Congress began, the Kerala unit was in a comfortable position. However, these new developments have visibly unsettled its leaders, though all top leaders continue to insist that the case is politically motivated.
Kerala’s Law Minister, P. Rajeev, stated that three vigilance courts in Kerala and the High Court have already ruled that there was no bribery angle in this case and that neither the Chief Minister nor the government was involved in any wrongdoing.
Interestingly, yesterday, the Delhi High Court quashed CMRL’s petition to halt further investigation. In March, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) also initiated a preliminary probe into financial transactions between Exalogic, CMRL, and 10 other companies.
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And, CPIM is once again using the narrative that central agencies are being misused.
Meanwhile, at the Party Congress, a resolution to defend the LDF government in Kerala will be presented and discussed. On March 3, during the review of the party’s political strategy and resolutions for the next three years, CPI(M) delegates emphasized the need to popularize the achievements of the LDF government across India.
Now, as the resolution to defend the LDF government comes up for discussion, the Kerala unit unexpectedly got pushed to a situation where it has to defend the Chief Minister and his daughter. However, since Kerala is the only state where the party remains in power, and CM Vijayan remains firmly in control, it is highly unlikely that any Party Congress delegate will dare to make a strong challenge to his leadership or demand action against him at the Party Congress.
Prakash Karat, coordinator of CPIM Politburo, said: We have already stated earlier also that if they think they can target the CM by doing such things against his family members, we are prepared to face it and I am sure this will be fought politically and legally".
