‘Strange actions as Veena is my daughter’: Kerala LoP Pinarayi Vijayan denies hawala allegations

Thiruvananthapuram: Leader of the Opposition, Pinarayi Vijayan, stated that neither he, his daughter nor his family have ever engaged in any hawala transactions. Pinarayi Vijayan was responding to the Enforcement Directorate's findings regarding the CMRL-Exalogic transaction. He clarified that the ED’s strange actions are occurring simply because she is his daughter. Pinarayi also questioned whether the ED usually issues press releases in other cases in this manner.

Pinarayi also recalled the Lavalin case. “There was a CBI investigation against me. The complaint alleged that someone came to Kannur in 1996 and gave me crores of rupees. The complainant said it was because I was likely to become the Electricity Minister. Myself and my team will fully cooperate with such investigations. The CBI was ultimately convinced that my stance was correct,” Pinarayi said.

“Certain people have been targeting me for a long time, trying to implicate me in every possible way. No one objects to investigative agencies probing complaints brought before them. However, the issues raised here originate solely from the fact that Veena is my daughter. Veena does not possess massive wealth. The money being discussed here is not huge either; everyone knows how much it is. Strange actions are being taken simply because she is my daughter. Does the ED normally issue press releases in such cases? Why was my official designation included in the press release?

Certain media outlets assume they can say anything against Pinarayi Vijayan. We have cooperated with the investigation in every way, and Veena will not hesitate to provide further information. I am completely convinced, neither I, my daughter nor my family have been involved in any hawala transaction," Pinarayi added.

“These hands have always been clean, and they will remain clean. No one should think they can stain them,” Pinarayi concluded.