Thiruvananthapuram: In a tactical move, the CPI appears to be distancing itself from the CMRL graft controversy involving leader of the opposition Pinarayi Vijayan and his family. Making the party’s position clear, CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam said on Saturday that he was not aware of the full details of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) demand against Vijayan and refused to endorse the CPM’s narrative that the action against the former chief minister and his family was politically motivated.Viswam told reporters that the CPI’s politics was rooted in Left ideology and that this was the binding force of the LDF.Asked about the ED’s letter to the state police chief recommending action under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Vijayan, his son-in-law and former minister P A Mohamed Riyas, and his daughter T Veena, Viswam said he was not fully aware of the details and declined to comment.The CPI state secretary, however, said the party saw politics in everything and remained committed to upholding Left values. “If central agencies play politics, the LDF will counter it politically,” he said.Viswam also said some people were still hoping for the Athirappilly hydroelectric project to be revived, but it would never materialise.
