The Congress in Kerala criticized the ED's notice to Chief Minister Vijayan and former finance minister Isaac regarding the KIIFB Masala Bond case. They claimed it was intended to intimidate the ruling party before elections, not for serious investigation, and highlighted alleged corruption and procedural violations in the bond issuance.
The Opposition Congress in Kerala has sharply criticized the Enforcement Directorate (ED) after it issued a show cause notice to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and former finance minister T M Thomas Isaac in connection with the KIIFB Masala Bond case. The Congress accuses the ED of using such notices to intimidate the ruling CPI(M) party ahead of the local body elections, rather than conducting a genuine investigation.
In sharp remarks made at a media briefing, Leader of the Opposition, V D Satheesan, alleged significant corruption and procedural irregularities in the issuance of the masala bond, suggesting that the move was purely political. He further claimed that the state treasury suffered substantial losses due to the costly interest payments on the debt raised.
Senior Congress figures, including Ramesh Chennithala and K Muraleedharan, expressed little faith in the intention behind the ED's notice. They argue it is merely a tactic to pressurize the Kerala government into a stance favorable to the BJP in the upcoming elections. Despite claims of collaboration between central forces and the state to protect the CM, opposition leaders believe no substantial developments will arise from the ED's actions.