Thiruvananthapuram: A purportedly explosive statement by Sasidharan Kartha has surfaced, in which he told the Enforcement Directorate (ED) that Veena Vijayan’s company, Exalogic Solutions, did not provide any IT services to Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd. (CMRL), and that crores of rupees were paid solely because of Veena Vijayan’s personal proximity to and influence through the then Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan.
Kartha reportedly gave this statement to the ED on April 24, 2024. Just two days later, on April 26, 2024, Kerala went to the polls for the Lok Sabha elections. The BJP opened its account in Kerala for the first time through Suresh Gopi’s victory from Thrissur. At the time, allegations had already been raised by political opponents that there was a “Pinarayi-Modi deal.” Critics now claim that the fact Kartha’s statement against the Pinarayi family remained undisclosed for so long is evidence of that alleged understanding.
Subsequently, the BJP went on to make significant political gains in the state while keeping Pinarayi Vijayan under intense political pressure. After opening its account in the Lok Sabha from Kerala, the BJP also secured three seats in the Assembly elections. On the other hand, the CPI(M) suffered a major setback. The party’s only Lok Sabha victory was K. Radhakrishnan’s seat, and in the Assembly elections, the Left Democratic Front led by Pinarayi Vijayan was reduced to 35 seats, ending up in the Opposition.
Kartha’s statement of April 24, 2024, has now surfaced at a time when Pinarayi Vijayan is said to be at his weakest politically. Political circles are speculating that Veena Vijayan could face arrest at any time. Kartha’s statement is also being viewed by critics as having drawn Pinarayi Vijayan into the investigation. There are indications, according to these reports, that the Enforcement Directorate may question Pinarayi Vijayan in the coming days based on Kartha’s statement. However, no official announcement has been made by the ED regarding any such action.
