Sivankutty Calls ED Notice Political Theatre Ahead of Kerala Local Polls

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Education and Labour Minister V. Sivankutty has criticised the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) notice to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac over alleged FEMA violations related to the KIIFB Masala Bond, calling it a politically motivated move ahead of the local body elections. Sivankutty said the ED had previously failed in its legal challenge against Isaac and had been “exposed in the process.” He remarked that it was astonishing that the ED was only now acknowledging that the Chief Minister serves as KIIFB’s chairman.

Sivankutty stated that Kerala has repeatedly repelled attempts to derail its development using both legal and political means. “Every time an election approaches, central agencies suddenly awaken. This has become a predictable script,” he said. He added that the ED functioning as a “political instrument” of the central government undermines democratic principles. With local body polls approaching, he alleged the Centre is attempting to create a smokescreen to target the LDF government.

“The political intent of the ED is clearly evident,” Sivankutty asserted. Any attempt to weaken or sabotage KIIFB — a core pillar of Kerala’s development planning — will be met with strong public resistance, he stated. He further noted that the Left Democratic Front is fully equipped to counter such actions both legally and politically.

“Kerala’s communists will not bow or break under pressure from the Centre,” Sivankutty added.