Tejashwi calls ED raid on Pinarayi Vijayan politically motivated
Synopsis
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav has condemned the ED's search at former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's residence as politically motivated, demanding the Modi government account for how many opposition leaders faced agency action before joining BJP and receiving rewards.
Key Takeaways
Tejashwi Yadav on 27 May 2026 condemned the ED raid on former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan 's residence as politically motivated.
He accused the BJP government of using investigative agencies to serve political interests and 'eliminate regional parties.' Tejashwi demanded the government reveal how many opposition leaders joined BJP after facing agency raids or cases over the past 12 years .
He alleged that individuals accused of corruption on video are being made Chief Ministers , questioning the Centre's anti-corruption credibility.
The post is likely to intensify INDIA bloc coordination on a joint parliamentary response to central agency actions against opposition leaders.
Tejashwi concluded with a warning: 'In the end, truth and justice will prevail.'
RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav on Wednesday, 27 May 2026 sharply condemned the Enforcement Directorate's search at the residence of Kerala former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, calling the action politically motivated and an instrument of revenge against opposition parties.
Context
Posting on X, Tejashwi wrote: 'केरल के पूर्व मुख्यमंत्री श्री Pinarayi Vijayan जी के आवास पर ED की रेड राजनीतिक दुर्भावना और प्रतिशोध से प्रेरित है' — 'The ED raid on the residence of Kerala's former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is driven by political malice and vendetta.' He accused the BJP-led central government of weaponising investigative agencies to serve its political interests and to 'eliminate regional parties.'
Vijayan, a veteran CPI(M) leader, served as Kerala Chief Minister from 2016 to 2026. His tenure had previously attracted scrutiny from central agencies in connection with the 2020 Kerala gold smuggling case, which implicated officials linked to the state secretariat.
Policy Backdrop
Tejashwi's post escalated beyond the immediate raid, demanding that the Modi government disclose how many opposition leaders — after facing 'fabricated cases, raids and summons' from various agencies over the past 12 years — subsequently joined the BJP and were rewarded with 'certificates of honesty and good positions.' The charge echoes a pattern opposition parties have flagged in parliamentary debates repeatedly between 2019 and 2024: that ED and CBI actions against non-NDA leaders are selectively pursued and quietly wound down after political defections.
The Enforcement Directorate, which functions under the Finance Ministry, investigates money laundering and foreign exchange violations under PMLA and FEMA. Critics have long argued that the agency's sharp uptick in searches against opposition figures since 2014 reflects political direction rather than evidentiary merit — a charge the Centre consistently denies, maintaining all actions are evidence-based.
Stakeholders and Impact
Tejashwi's post also included a pointed reference to what he described as individuals 'seen on video taking notes of cash' — alleged corruption accused — being appointed as Chief Ministers, a veiled but unmistakable attack on the credibility of the Centre's anti-corruption posture. The remark is likely to resonate with the INDIA bloc, of which both RJD and CPI(M) are members, and could accelerate calls for a coordinated opposition response before the next parliamentary session.
Regional parties in Kerala, West Bengal, and Delhi have repeatedly raised federalism concerns over central agency actions in their states. Tejashwi's intervention adds a Bihar-based voice to what is increasingly framed as a pan-opposition grievance about the erosion of agency autonomy.
What's Next
All eyes will be on any formal ED response regarding the scope and basis of the Vijayan residence search, as well as potential Kerala assembly proceedings on the matter. Opposition coordination within the INDIA bloc on legislative proposals for agency reform is likely to gain fresh momentum. Tejashwi closed his post with a note of resolve: 'याद रखें, अंत में सच्चाई और न्याय की ही जीत होगी' — 'Remember, in the end, truth and justice will prevail.'
Point of View
Which needs a unified narrative ahead of parliament, and Bihar's electorate, where anti-Centre federalism messaging has historically yielded dividends for the RJD. By demanding a public accounting of opposition leaders who 'washed clean' after joining BJP, he shifts the debate from the specifics of the Vijayan raid to a systemic indictment of agency autonomy — a harder charge for the Centre to rebut with a single denial. The 'video note-counting' jibe, while unspecified, signals that the opposition intends to prosecute a broader credibility war rather than fight case by case. If the INDIA bloc can coordinate a joint parliamentary strategy on agency reforms, this post may be seen as an early salvo in that campaign.
NationPress
12 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the ED raid Pinarayi Vijayan's house?
The specific grounds for the May 2026 ED search at former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's residence have not been officially confirmed. Vijayan's tenure had earlier attracted central agency scrutiny linked to the 2020 Kerala gold smuggling case, which involved officials close to the state secretariat.
What did Tejashwi Yadav say about the ED raid on Pinarayi Vijayan?
Tejashwi Yadav called the raid politically motivated and driven by vendetta, accusing the BJP government of using investigative agencies to eliminate regional parties and demanding the Centre reveal how many opposition leaders joined BJP after facing agency action.
Has the ED been accused of targeting opposition leaders before?
Yes. Parliamentary debates from 2019 to 2024 repeatedly saw opposition parties allege selective enforcement by the ED and CBI against non-NDA leaders, with complaints from governments in Kerala, West Bengal, and Delhi citing federalism concerns.
What is the INDIA bloc's stance on central agency actions?
The INDIA bloc, which includes RJD, CPI(M), and other opposition parties, has consistently alleged that central investigative agencies are directed against non-BJP governments and leaders. The bloc has discussed legislative proposals for agency reform ahead of upcoming parliamentary sessions.
Who is Pinarayi Vijayan?
Pinarayi Vijayan is a senior CPI(M) leader who served as Chief Minister of Kerala from 2016 to 2026. He is one of the most prominent Left leaders in India and a vocal critic of the BJP-led central government.
