Kochi, Sep 10 (IANS) Congress MLA, Mathew Kuzhalnadan, on Thursday challenged CPI(M) legislator P.A. Mohammed Riyas to give clear answers to two questions on the CMRL-Exalogic case.

Kuzhalnadan asked Riyas to categorically state whether his wife Veena Vijayan had transferred crores of rupees to the accounts of any of Riyas’ friends or associates.

He also asked whether Veena had transferred money from India to a foreign country.

Kuzhalnadan said clear answers to these two questions would help the public understand the larger issues in the case.

He was responding to Riyas’ sharp criticism of the Enforcement Directorate and its investigation.

Kuzhalnadan also challenged Riyas’ claim that CMRL officials had never told investigating agencies that Veena had provided no services to the company.

He said copies of statements given by CMRL Managing Director S.N. Sasidharan Kartha and other senior officials were available and he was ready to provide them to Riyas.

Kuzhalnadan alleged that Riyas was trying to mislead the public by concealing facts.

CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby, meanwhile, came out in defence of Riyas and others facing the ED probe.

He strongly criticised the manner in which the agency was functioning.

“We have reached a stage where, in the past, when the ED knocked at someone’s door, the only way out was to join the BJP,” Baby said.

“But the CPI (M) is different. We will not be cowed down by such threats,” he said.

Baby alleged that the ED was now forcing people appearing before it to own up to things by making threats.

“This means they are engaged in acts beyond their brief,” he said.

Kuzhalnadan also questioned what he described as contradictory positions taken by Riyas on the ED.

Riyas had said he was not afraid of the agency and was ready to fight it legally.

At the same time, he had alleged that the ED was threatening his friends and colleagues and forcing them to give statements against him.

Kuzhalnadan asked why Riyas was taking such a contradictory position.

Riyas had earlier rejected the allegations in the case.

He said the money received by Exalogic from CMRL and other companies was payment for services under valid contracts.

He said GST and other taxes had been paid and the money was received through bank accounts in a transparent manner.

Riyas had also alleged that the ED tried to force businessman Hasan Waris to give a false statement against former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

He alleged that Waris was threatened with action against his daughter when he refused.

Riyas maintained that he was not afraid of the ED as he had done nothing wrong.

The latest exchange has added a fresh political dimension to the CMRL-Exalogic controversy, with the CPI(M) defending its leaders and the Opposition stepping up its attack.

–IANS

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