Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan refuted all charges and allegations made by some of the persons arrested in connection with gold smuggling that they were doing it for the CPI(M).

“The CPI(M) does not have anything to do with these people. We are always on guard and take instant action against party members and activists who bring bad reputation to the organization,” said the chief minister while addressing the media on Tuesday.

The Chief Minister’s denial came at a time when the vernacular TV channels were airing voice clippings between leaders of the “quotation gangs” and carriers of smuggled gold. Quotation Gangs are local syndicates that provide protection to smugglers and criminals with the claim that they have political patronage  from “persons in high places”. In one of the voice clips aired by a channel, leader of a quotation gang is heard telling a carrier that one-third of the protection money charged would go to the CPI(M) fund while the rest is for the local party chieftains and the gang members.

Arjun Aayanki and Aakash Thillankeri, two youths from Kannur who lead one of the quotation gangs are said to be active CPI(M) local leaders and whose social media pages are full of photographs featuring them and the party’s top leaders including the chief minister.

Vijayan said there may be instances of some persons misusing the party’s name to further their activities. “In this era of social media, we cannot keep track of postings made by all individuals. They are free to support the party but if they violate party laws and guidelines, string actiuon should be taken against them,” said the Chief Minister.