Thiruvananthapuram, Sept. 23 -- The CPI(M) on Tuesday alleged a "Congress-BJP conspiracy" behind the UDF government's move to order an inquiry against Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan and his son-in-law CPI(M) MLA PA Mohammed Riyas in the CMRL monthly payoffs case.

The preliminary police inquiry, announced by home minister Ramesh Chennithala, was based on the Enforcement Directorate report claiming "evidence of bribery and use of hawala channels to route money abroad' against Vijayan, his daughter Veena T and Riyas.

The CPI(M) alleged that the ED had "coerced" people to file statements against Vijayan and Riyas and that many such witnesses had moved courts to withdraw their statements.

"It is unheard of that an inquiry is being or...