Balakrishnan steps aside as CPM secretary after his son’s arrest in connection with Bengaluru Drug Case

Senior CPM leader and former Home Minister of Kerala Kodiyeri Balakrishnan stepped down as the state secretary of the party days after the arrest of his son Bineesh in a money laundering case, in connection with the Bengaluru drug scandal. He was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in Bengaluru a few days ago.

According to a statement issued by the party secretariat, Balakrishnan, who is also a politburo member.

Balakrishnan has been replaced by Left Democratic Front (LDF) convener, A Vijayaraghavan.

The central agencies had found that Balakrishnan’s son maintained close connections with drug peddler Mohammed Anoop. The agencies also found that Anoop was was Bineesh’s benami. The ED also charged Bineesh with transferring huge amounts of money into Anoop’s bank account.

Since Bineesh was taken into custody by the central agency, opposition parties had been clamouring for Balakrishnan’s resignation.