BJP demands Pinarayi Vijayan’s resignation as Keralam Opposition Leader over ED findings in CMRL case

Account subscription benefits alongside Premium Stories, Editorials, Opinions and more. Unlock these with Subscription

The BJP on Thursday demanded the resignation of Pinarayi Vijayan as the Leader of Opposition in the Keralam Assembly following fresh revelations by the ED in its probe into the CMRL money laundering case involving his daughter T. Veena.

BJP State vice president Shone George told reporters that the party's stand is that Mr. Vijayan should resign from the post.

Mr. George said he was “repeating the words of Mr. Vijayan” when corruption allegations were levelled against former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy during the 2011-2016 UDF government.

“If there is any shame left... Pinarayi Vijayan should be ready to step down as Opposition Leader,” he said.

Mr. George alleged that, according to information emerging now, “corruption is being exposed related to transactions over the last 30 years, beginning in 1996 when Mr. Vijayan became the Electricity Minister and continuing until today.”

“Every company belonging to Veena, including the latest one, Laker India, which operates out of a single-room building, were created solely to cover up Vijayan's corruption and to facilitate their transactions. None of these are operational,” he alleged.

He claimed that money sent from India to the Gulf was subsequently transferred to the US.

“There is plenty of evidence for that... as I mentioned, details related to Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank have come out,” he said.

Mr. George said that if Mr. Vijayan did not resign, the LDF should remove him from the post.

“The CPI(M) usually conducts investigations into every issue, right? If the CPI(M) conducts a party-level investigation into this matter, we are ready to submit evidence for that party-level inquiry,” he said.

He questioned why Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd (CMRL) transferred money to Ms. Veena without receiving any services in return.

“When the father is sitting as the Chief Minister, if money is transferred to the firm run by the daughter without providing any service, and if you still don't understand Vijayan is an accused in this, then there is something wrong with you who are listening. Other than that, I have nothing to say,” he said.

Mr. George alleged that all the money received by Ms. Veena without providing any service belonged to Mr. Vijayan.