No role in ED raids, CPM can go to court if its illegal, says Kerala CM V D Satheesan

T’puram: Chief minister V D Satheesan said that the state govt did not have any role in the raids conducted by the enforcement directorate (ED) at leader of opposition Pinarayi Vijayan’s house and other places as it is in connection with a money laundering case being investigated by the central agency.

Addressing reporters in the state capital, Satheesan said that it was the responsibility of CPM to approach the court if there is a political motive or illegality.

He also pointed out that Vijayan did not blame the Prime Minister or the minister in charge of ED after the raid but accused Congress’s Rahul Gandhi.

“Congress did not resort to violence when Gandhi was subjected to ED raids for 55 hours. The attack on ED was a crime and action will be taken against the culprits,” Satheesan said referring to protests following the ED searches.

He also said that ED came with central forces and did not inform the state govt about the raids. Home minister Ramesh Chennithala sent the state police to prevent a law-and-order situation.

ED also did not inform the state force when they are going to come out of the house, Satheesan said and added that the attack on the ED car was unfortunate and that the police have already arrested the culprits.

Satheesan also said that it is easy for the police to enter any party office and arrest people. “But they took restraint. I will commend the home minister,” he said.

“FIR has been registered and investigation is happening. Our idea is to ensure that those who are the culprits should be punished. No one who committed a crime will escape. Action will be taken,” the CM said.

Satheesan also said that all political parties get funds as donations. “But that is not the case. The case is that one company gave large amount to another company without client service to launder money. This is the case. There is no connection between political parties and the politicians getting get money from companies,” he said.

Satheesan also said that his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi was a courtesy call. “The former CM has met him several times. It is good that CPM has started to make jokes claiming that the raids happened after I met Modi,” he said.

Commenting on the latest controversy over Vande Mataram, Satheesan said recitation of the national song is a guideline and UDF and Congress have certain decision about the same. “If the governor has some complaints, we will discuss it,” he said.