Members of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] staged a protest at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (SVP) Chowk in Kalaburagi on Thursday condemning the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raids on the residence of the former Kerala Chief Minister and CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Pinarayi Vijayan.

The protest was organised under the leadership of CPI(M) district leaders K. Neela, Bhimashetty Yampalli, Sudham Dhanni, Shrimant Biradar, Shanta Ghanti, Lavitra Vastrad, Prabhu Pyarabuddi, Chandamma and Guru Chandakavathe, among others.

Addressing the protesters, CPI(M) district secretary K. Neela said that the ED action against Mr. Vijayan is politically motivated and aimed at targeting Opposition leaders.

“The raid on Pinarayi Vijayan’s residence is an act of political revenge. The BJP is using agencies like the ED as weapons for political retaliation,” she said.

She also condemned the detention of CPI(M) leaders and protesters during demonstrations in Delhi against the ED action.

“Senior leaders, including Brinda Karat, Ashok Dhawale and Mariam Dhawale, were forcibly detained by the police during the protest. This reflects an attempt to suppress democratic movements,” she said.

Ms. Neela claimed that courts have repeatedly observed that Mr. Vijayan did not have any connection with the Exalogic case but, he is still being targeted because of political considerations.

She further said that the continuing action against the Kerala leader exposed “the misuse of Central agencies for political purposes”.

The protesters demanded that the Union government stop what they described as politically motivated investigations against Opposition leaders and protect democratic rights.