Not going to get scared and run away: Mohamed Riyas after ED searches in CMRL pay-off case

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P.A. Mohamed Riyas, Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] MLA for Beypore in Keralam’s Kozhikode, on Wednesday (August 19, 2026) said that he is “not going to get scared and run away”, a day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searches on the premises of his close friends and acquaintances in the district.

The former Minister for Public Works, speaking to the media, said that he would deal with the allegations against him politically and legally.

The raids on Tuesday (August 18, 2026) were part of the inquiry into the alleged pay-off case related to financial transactions between the now-defunct Exalogic Solutions, an IT firm owned by Mr. Riyas’ wife T. Veena, who is also the daughter of Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan.

Mr. Riyas said those who came under the ED lens had been his close friends even before he became an MLA and a Minister. “I know them ever since my college days... They are running legitimate and decent business ventures. The attempt is to create a smokescreen around them and keep them in a shadow of doubt. I know people from different walks of life, including businesspersons. Just because the ED had searched their premises, my relation with them will not end,” he said.

He said that there were some MLAs, who, after winning elections in the hand symbol [of the Congress], had switched over to the BJP fearing the ED. “I have opposed the BJP’s politics yesterday, I am opposed to it today, and this opposition will continue tomorrow as well, come what may,” he said.

Asked about the allegations revolving around Ms. Veena’s company, Mr. Riyas welcomed any inquiry in to the issue. “Is it fair to say that a highly qualified individual cannot run a business just because she is the daughter of a political leader and the wife of political activist? If that business is being helped by those with political or administrative influence, it should be investigated into,” Mr. Riyas said.

Claiming that he had not done anything wrong, the CPI(M) leader said that the details about his wife’s business venture had been mentioned in the affidavit submitted along with the nomination papers for the Assembly elections.

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