M.A. Baby defends CM’s daughter in ‘illegal payment’ scandal, says she did nothing wrong

M.A. Baby defends Pinarayi Vijayan's daughter against fabricated illegal payment case, criticizes anti-democratic approach and Central agencies.

M.A. Baby, the newly elected general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] on Monday strongly defended Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s daughter T. Veena, who has been named by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) in an “illegal payment” case recently.

He asserted that Mr. Vijayan’s daughter had not done anything wrong and it was very evident while examining the facts of the case. The case was fabricated against Ms. Veena just because she is the daughter of the Chief Minister, he said. . “To attack the CPI(M) and the LDF in Kerala, they have to hit on its head.... and its head is Pinarayi Vijayan,” he said.

Attempts are being made to target him by attacking his daughter by fabricating a case against her, Mr. Baby said. The perpetrators are hoping that this blow will affect Mr. Vijayan. The worst form of an anti-democratic approach is seen in the case and its investigation, the leader alleged.

The CPI(M) general secretary said a tribunal under the Union Finance Ministry had deliberately remarked that Ms. Veena is the daughter of a prominent political leader in Kerala and said all the issues began there.

When asked about the reports of prosecution procedures initiated against Ms. Veena, he said everybody knows that how the Central agencies are functioning in the country.

He sought to know from critics what illegal benefits had been received by the Kochi-based private mining company from the Kerala government in the name of entering into an agreement with Ms. Veena’s IT solutions company.

Mr. Baby extended strong support to Mr. Vijayan and his daughter at a time when the Opposition is demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister following reports that Ms. Veena has been named by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) in an ‘illegal payment’ scandal.