Former Kerala Minister P.A. Mohammed Riyas on Wednesday, 19 August broke his silence over the Enforcement Directorate's expanding probe into the CMRL-Exalogic monthly-payment case, mounting a sharp political and legal counteroffensive. Riyas dismissed the allegations surrounding his wife Veena T. as baseless and characterised the ED raids on his associates in Kozhikode as a deliberate attempt to manufacture a smokescreen.

Riyas Defends Wife's Business Record

Firmly rejecting claims that Veena had improperly set up a business, Riyas pointed to his own election nomination papers as proof of transparency. 'Now a new story is being spread that Veena started a firm. It is not true. Anyone can check my nomination papers; everything is there,' he said. He underlined that Veena was a professionally qualified individual who had held senior corporate positions before moving into consultancy and business, and that there was nothing improper about her doing so.

Riyas stressed that Veena was an individual in her own right and that there was nothing preventing her from engaging in business. 'No wrong has been done. Let the case go forward; we will deal with it,' he added.

Raids on Associates in Kozhikode

The ED conducted searches at multiple locations in Kozhikode on Tuesday, seizing documents and digital evidence. Among those under scrutiny is Solas, an advertising company reportedly linked to Communist Party of India (Marxist) district secretariat member P. Nikhil. The agency is also examining financial transactions allegedly involving Veena, Riyas, and others in his circle.

Riyas pushed back against the premise of the raids. 'My long-time friends have now come under raids. Anyone can find out about their character. I have known them for a long time. Everyone in Kozhikode knows about their businesses,' he said, insisting that friendship would not be undermined by search operations.

Political Attack on the Centre

Riyas directly accused the Bharatiya Janata Party-led Central government of weaponising the ED for political purposes. 'Everyone knows how the ED is used by the BJP government,' he said. He drew a pointed contrast with Congress leaders who had, in his telling, crossed over to the BJP, saying he would continue his own politics without retreat. 'Nobody should think that we are going to be scared,' he said, affirming that the CPI(M) had collectively decided to confront the allegations both legally and politically.

Political Stakes for Riyas and CPI(M)

The probe arrives at a sensitive moment for Riyas within his own party. His rapid ascent in the CPI(M) — from securing the party ticket in the 2021 Assembly elections to entering the Cabinet with the PWD and Tourism portfolios and subsequently gaining a place in the powerful State Secretariat — had reportedly generated unease in certain party quarters. His marriage to Veena, a high-profile figure in her own right, has been a recurring subject of internal discussion.

With close associates now under the ED scanner, the matter is expected to acquire greater political weight at the extended CPI(M) State Committee meeting scheduled in Kozhikode next month. Riyas said he had consulted legal experts and would fight the case through both legal and political channels, adding that he would no longer respond to every media query and would instead allow the investigation to proceed.

What Comes Next

The ED continues to analyse seized documents and digital records. For the Vijayan family and the broader CPI(M) leadership, the coming weeks are expected to be politically significant, particularly if the agency proceeds with further notices or escalates its measures. Riyas, for his part, has signalled he intends to remain on the offensive. 'I strongly oppose the party which rules the country. I will continue my politics,' he said.