CPI(M) backs Pinarayi in KSFE raid issue
KOCHI: Ruling Communist Party of India — Marxist (CPIM) secretariat on Tuesday threw its weight behind Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the raid conducted by Vigilance and Anti-corruption Bureau (VACB) on Kerala State Financial Enterprises (KSFE), a fully owned government financial entity, known for its small savings scheme called Chity. The meeting held in state capital Trivandrum reprimanded Minister for Finance Dr TM Thomas Isaac for airing his criticism of the VACB’S “Operation Bachat” in KSFE, according to reports.
The party has also decided to silence further uterances on the topic in public as it may give the impression of a divided house, especially when elections are round the corner.
In a press statement, the CPIM also said that Vijayan himself had clarified that the Vigilance investigation in KSFE was a routine action.
“Some reactions regarding the Vigilance investigation in KSFE have been misinterpreted and used to spread misinformation. The reactions were made with the view that some people were using the investigation to tarnish the image of a successful entity such as KSFE. But such public statements should have been avoided,” a CPIM press statement said.
Dr Isaac had publicly chided VACB for giving ammunition to the opposition parties for tarnishing the image of KSFE, when Enforcement Directorate (ED) is busy checking state government’s prestigious projects including LIFE Mission, KFON and other initiatives over money laundering allegations. He even called the people behind the raid “crazy.”
Isaac had even gone to the extent of asking KSFE officials to block Vigilance officials from entering their premises.
In his indirect reply to Dr Isaac, Vijayan had told a press conference that there was nothing improper about the Vigilance flash checks in 40 KSFE branches on November 27.
The chief minister also said two days back that there was sufficient proof for the Vigilance to go ater the KSFE.
Senior leader and CPIM secretariat member Anathalavatom Anandan had called the Vigilance move a conspiracy ploted by people working for the interests of private financial institutions.