Thiruvananthapuram: The Opposition Congress and BJP on Friday attacked Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan over the investigation into his daughter T Veena’s now-defunct IT company, and demanded his resignation in the wake of allegations that the firm received money in exchange for favours from the CM.

Defending the chief minister, the CPI(M) said the case was politically motivated. CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan said it would be dealt with politically and legally.

Addressing the media after boycotting the assembly proceedings, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan said the chief minister “escaped” from the assembly instead of discussing the matter.

“Now the SFIO has begun the investigation. We moved a notice for adjournment motion but the chief minister escaped from the house. It was the ruling front which made a ruckus today in the assembly,” Satheesan alleged and demanded the resignation of Vijayan in the wake of the allegations.

BJP state President K Surendran also stated that the chief minister should tender his resignation in the wake of the SFIO probe.

“He (Vijayan) ran away from the assembly. The payment made to her (Veena’s) company was to receive some sort of favour from the government,” he alleged. “He is not entitled to continue in his position.” Meanwhile, Govindan, who met the media said there were political motives behind the allegations targeting the chief minister. “The Exalogic case is politically motivated. Shaun George, who went to the High Court with the case, has been given charge in the BJP. Do we need more proof of who is behind the case?,” Govindan asked.

He said the allegations will be dealt with both politically and legally.

He also targeted Satheesan, asking why the Congress leader was silent when Left-supported MLA P V Anwar accused the LoP in the assembly of having accepted around Rs 150 crore as bribe from lobbies in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to torpedo the Left government’s K-Rail project.

Satheesan had earlier dismissed the allegation and characterised it as childish.

Govindan also attacked the Congress and said the party was helping the BJP, which is crippling the state by creating a financial situation affecting the state’s progress and development.

Earlier in the day, Speaker A N Shamseer dismissed the opposition’s notice citing Rule 53 of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of business in the Kerala Legislative Assembly. Shamseer said as per the provision, no motion which seeks to raise discussion on matters pending before any statutory tribunal or authority shall ordinarily be permitted to be moved.

Opposition members trooped into the well of the house carrying placards and banners against the chief minister and waved it before the speaker’s dais. One of the banners read “Kerala looted by PV and company”.

Outside the assembly, Satheesan said that the registrar of companies and the Income Tax Interim Settlement Board had found irregularities in connection with Exalogic.

He alleged that the central agencies have found that a huge amount was paid to Veena’s company in exchange for some favours.