ED notice to Kerala CM ‘a joke’, says KPCC chief Sunny Joseph

Sunny Joseph, president of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), has said the recent notice served by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in connection with the masala bond probe was “a joke.”

Responding to reporters in Kozhikode on Monday, Mr. Joseph said the notice would have the “same plight as the previous ones” issued by the ED against the Chief Minister and his son. “The notice on the gold smuggling case has been compromised. The Lavlin case hearing is being put off forever. The ED notice is based on an understanding between the BJP and the CPI(M) to aid Mr. Vijayan during the election time. Nothing is to come out of it”, he said. 

‘Real issue is Sabarimala gold theft’

Mr. Joseph said the “real issue” at the moment is the gold theft at Sabarimala. He alleged that the CPI(M) was “protecting and defending the thieves, even those who have been caught red-handed.”

Congress Working Committee member Ramesh Chennithala also reiterated Mr. Joseph’s statement that the ED notice was part of an understanding. “We would welcome it if it is an honest investigation”, he added.