Kerala ED raid on former CM Pinarayi Vijayan's residence sparks political protests

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted raids at former Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan's rented house and at the home of businessman P. A. Mohammed Riyas. While the ED teams were leaving, protestors—identified as workers of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M))—blocked the vehicles and threw stones, injuring officials. Four people were arrested in connection with the violence.

Political leaders reacted sharply. Karnataka BJP state president B.Y. Vijayendra condemned the attack, calling it an assault on the rule of law, while BJP Kerala state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar similarly denounced the incident as a “shameful attack.” CPI(M) leader Vrinda Karat described the raid as a politically motivated “conspiracy” and said it sparked protests across Kerala. Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennaithala labeled the stone‑throwing a “Maqpa conspiracy” and promised strict legal action against the perpetrators.

The incident follows Kerala’s recent assembly election, in which the United Democratic Front (UDF) returned to power and the Left Democratic Front (LDF) led by CPI(M) suffered a steep loss, a shift that analysts say may have intensified political tensions.