CPI(M) workers attacked the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) cars in Thiruvananthapuram and resorted to demonstrations across Kerala and in Delhi after the central agencies conducted search operations at Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan’s houses in Kerala’s capital and in his native Pinarayi village in Kannur district.Protests spread fast as CPI(M) workers took to streets in large numbers viewing the ED action as BJP’s attack on the party itself without any formal call by the party leaders.The ED officials searched 10 premises linked to the former CM and his son in law Mohammad Riyas in connection with payments made from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd., an Aluva-based listed company, to some individuals, towards suspected fictitious expenses. The ED’s lens also covered former CM’s daughter Veena Vijayan, a suspected beneficiary. BJP MLA V Muraleedharan sought to know from the CPI(M) politburo member to clarify the services his daughter provided for the money collected.While the State’s Congress-led UDF regime distanced itself from the ED action, the CPI(M) pointed accusatory fingers, saying the agency’s action came less than 24 hours after CM VD Satheesan met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Delhi. In fact, in the run up to the assembly polls, the Congress had questioned the ED’s silence on Vijayan, accusing the BJP and LDF of having a secret deal.The CPI(M), in a post on X, said that the BJP enjoyed the Congress support in targeting Vijayan. Rahul Gandhi, during his visits to Kerala, publicly asked why ED was not arresting Vijayan. The BJP earlier carried out similar `politically motivated’ ED raids on Arvind Kejriwal with the Congress support. Both the Congress and the BJP have repeatedly attempted to eliminate Pinarayi Vijayan politically and physically, the party said.