Kerala Finance Minister Thomas Isaac slammed Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman alleging that she is misusing the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for political motives thus flouting election norms.
The senior CPM leader added that a political ploy was suspected in ED’s actions against the Kerala government as the officer heading ED in Kerala is the son of a BJP leader in Rajasthan.
The ED recently initiated a probe against Kerala government’s infrastructure funding body, Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB) and summoned top officials of the Board.
Sitharaman had snubbed KIIFB at a BJP function in Kochi a few days ago.
The ED’s action against KIIFB came close on the heels of Comptroller and Auditor General pointing out flaws in Masala Bonds issued by KIIFB for raising foreign funds.
Isaac said on Wednesday that the government would stand by KIIFB officials as they are working as per the norms, and attempts to scare the state government by the Centre, as they do in northern states, would not work in Kerala.