CPI(M) scrambles to contain the political fallout of Aravindakshan’s arrest by ED
The Hindu
CPI(M) scrambles to contain political fallout of ED arrest of party leader in Karuvannur Bank scam. CPI(M) terms it political vendetta, seeks legal recourse to insulate potential targets. Congress, BJP reject CPI(M)'s defence, focus on plight of ordinary families. CPI's traditional role as corrective force in LDF blunted by Kandala Bank scam. Govt. assures depositors of money guarantee.
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] scrambled to contain the political fallout of the arrest of party leader P.R. Aravindakshan by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the Karuvannur Cooperative Bank scam case.
CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan termed Mr. Aravindakshan’s detention as a political vendetta.
He said the ED had arrested the councillor from his house for daring to lodge a custodial assault against agency officials and terming the money laundering charges against him false.
“The BJP and the Congress are using the ED to get to the CPI(M). They are also pursuing a plot to destroy Kerala’s cooperative sector,” Mr. Govindan said. The CPI(M) would resist the move politically and legally.
Mr. Aravindakshan’s arrest also seemed ominous for A. C. Moideen, MLA, another top CPI(M) leader under the ED scanner in connection with the bank scam.
The CPI(M) might seek legal recourse to insulate him and other potential targets of ED investigation from arrest, perhaps by moving an anticipatory bail petition in the High Court.
The CPI(M) has also signalled that it would not consent to ED notices in future tangles with the Central agency without exploring legal options.
Pune luxury car crash: Police custody for Shivani and Vishal Agarwal in destruction of evidence case
Shivani and Vishal Agarwal remanded to police custody for swapping blood samples in luxury car crash case.