Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala on Wednesday clarified that the state police and home department had no advance knowledge of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids conducted across Kerala in connection with the CMRL-Exalogic case. Addressing the media, Chennithala stated that the ED did not seek any assistance from the Kerala Police and carried out the operation with the support of central forces. He confirmed this after consulting both the state police chief and the home secretary.
Chennithala Dismisses Allegations of Political Linkage
The home minister rejected claims of a planned connection between Chief Minister V D Satheesan's recent visit to New Delhi and the ED raids. He emphasized that meeting the Prime Minister after assuming office is an administrative necessity, a practice followed by chief ministers on many previous occasions. "It is wrong to mix up such administrative meetings with ED raids. The public understands the political motives behind such allegations," he added.
Response to CPM's Charges
Reacting strongly to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) accusation that the Congress and BJP were working together to target anti-BJP leaders, Chennithala dismissed it as an "excessive political campaign." He asserted that people clearly understand the differences among the three parties. Turning the allegation back on the CPM, he said the party should explain its own past relationship with the BJP. "The biggest relationship was between CPM and BJP. They should explain to the people how that relationship collapsed," he remarked.
Law and Order During Raids
Chennithala also rejected any suggestion of a lapse by the Kerala Police in maintaining law and order during the raids. He warned that strict action would be taken against anyone found involved in attacking ED officials.
Governor Seeks Report
Meanwhile, Governor Rajendra Arlekar is reported to have sought a report from the state police chief on the law and order situation that erupted during the raids, including the alleged attacks on ED officials. Sources indicate that the governor directly contacted the state police chief to obtain details about the incidents reported during the operation.
