- T Veena, also known as Veena Vijayan, is the daughter of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, born in 1983.
- She is an IT entrepreneur, founding Exalogic Solutions in Bengaluru in 2014, and previously worked at Oracle and as CEO of RP Techsoft International.
- Veena married P.A. Muhammad Riyas, a CPI(M) leader and Minister for Public Works, in 2020; it was her second marriage.
- Her company has faced controversy, with allegations of receiving Rs 1.72 crore illegally from Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited, leading to an ongoing ED probe since March 28, 2024.
- The evidence leans toward significant public and legal scrutiny, with ongoing investigations affecting her public image.
Background and Education:
T Veena, or Veena Vijayan, grew up in Kerala, the daughter of Pinarayi Vijayan, a prominent CPI(M) leader and Chief Minister since 2016, and Kamala Vijayan, a retired teacher. Born in 1983, she studied engineering at a private college in Tamil Nadu in the early 2000s, laying the foundation for her IT career.
Career Highlights:
Veena’s professional journey includes a stint at Oracle and a role as CEO of RP Techsoft International in 2012. She founded Exalogic Solutions in 2014, focusing on software and consultancy, though it’s now dormant with Rs 1 lakh paid-up capital. Her income from consultancy grew, reaching Rs 29.95 lakh by 2020-21, with assets valued at Rs 1.29 crore.
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Personal Life and Family:
Veena married Muhammad Riyas in 2020, a CPI(M) leader with no reported income from 2017-18 to 2020-21 and no I-T returns filed. This was her second marriage, and they keep a low public profile.
Controversies and Current Status:
Veena’s company, Exalogic Solutions, is under scrutiny for allegedly receiving illegal payments, prompting an ED investigation. This, along with links to a gold smuggling scandal and political allegations, has made her a controversial figure. As of April 9, 2025, investigations continue, impacting her public image.
T Veena: The Daughter of Kerala’s Chief Minister, Navigating Entrepreneurship and Controversy
In the intricate web of Kerala’s political and economic landscape, T Veena, better known as Veena Vijayan, emerges as a figure of both promise and contention. As the daughter of Pinarayi Vijayan, Kerala’s Chief Minister since 2016 and a stalwart of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)), Veena’s life has been shaped by her family’s legacy, her entrepreneurial ventures, and the controversies that have followed. This detailed biography, as of April 9, 2025, explores her journey from her early years to her current status, highlighting her achievements, personal life, and the legal battles that have defined her public persona.
Early Life and Educational Foundations
Veena Vijayan was born in 1983 in Kerala, into a family deeply rooted in the state’s political sphere. Her father, Pinarayi Vijayan, is a veteran CPI(M) leader who has led Kerala since May 25, 2016, known for initiatives like the Ardram Mission and Haritha Keralam Mission. Her mother, Kamala Vijayan, is a retired teacher, providing a stable, education-focused upbringing. While specific details about Veena’s childhood are scarce, her exposure to politics was inevitable, given her father’s prominence.
Veena pursued her education in engineering at a private college in Tamil Nadu during the early 2000s, a choice that aligned with her later career in technology. This academic background, though not detailed in specific fields, equipped her with the technical skills necessary for her entrepreneurial ventures.
Professional Career: From Corporate Roles to Entrepreneurship
Veena Vijayan’s professional journey reflects her ambition in the IT sector. She began with a stint at Oracle, a global technology giant, gaining experience in software and consultancy services. In 2012, she served as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of RP Techsoft International Private Limited in Thiruvananthapuram,.
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Marriage and Family: A Political Union
Veena’s personal life gained public attention with her marriage to P.A. Muhammad Riyas on June 15, 2020, in a private ceremony in Thiruvananthapuram . This was her second marriage, though details about her first are not publicly disclosed. Riyas, a prominent CPI(M) leader and Minister for Public Works, is also the National President of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI). His election affidavit for the 2021 Beypore Assembly constituency revealed no income from 2017-18 to 2020-21 and no income tax returns filed.
This union intertwined Veena’s life further with Kerala’s political landscape, though she has maintained a low profile in political activities, focusing instead on her business.
Controversies and Legal Scrutiny: A Life Under the Spotlight
Veena Vijayan’s public profile has been significantly shaped by controversies, particularly surrounding her company, Exalogic Solutions. The most notable issue emerged in 2023 when an Income Tax Department report highlighted that Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL), a Kochi-based firm, allegedly made illegal payments of Rs 1.72 crore to Exalogic over three years (2018-19 to 2020-21). This led to intense scrutiny and legal action.
On March 28, 2024, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) initiated a money laundering probe based on a complaint by Shone George, a Kottayam district panchayat member and son of senior politician P.C. George, who recently joined the BJP . As of April 9, 2025, this investigation is ongoing, with the ED preparing to register a case, adding to the legal challenges Veena faces.
Further allegations link Veena to the 2020 gold smuggling scandal in Kerala, with claims of connections to Swapna Suresh, the alleged mastermind, and involvement in a deal with Sprinklr, a US-based company, through Exalogic. The Congress party has also alleged that PwC director Jaik Balakumar, reportedly a mentor to Veena, was involved in Kerala’s Space Park project, raising questions about potential conflicts of interest .
These controversies have not only impacted Veena’s professional reputation but have also become a political battleground, with opposition parties using them to criticize the ruling CPI(M).
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Financial and Legal Context: A Detailed Look
To provide a clearer picture, here’s a table summarizing key financial and legal details:
| Category | Details |
| Company | Exalogic Solutions Private Limited, Bengaluru, started 2014, dormant, paid-up capital Rs 1 lakh |
| Previous Employment | CEO at RP Techsoft International, Thiruvananthapuram (2012), prior stint with Oracle |
| Income (from affidavits) | 2016-17: Rs 8,25,708; 2017-18: Rs 10,42,864; 2020-21: Rs 29,94,521, source: consultancy |
| Assets | Market value of self-acquired assets: Rs 1,28,81,200 |
| Controversies | – Alleged Rs 1.72 crore illegal payment from CMRL, 2018-19, no services provided – Linked to 2020 gold smuggling scandal via Swapna Suresh, Sprinklr deal – Congress alleged PwC director Jaik Balakumar mentorship, Space Park link – Payment not in husband’s 2021 election affidavit |
| Husband’s Financials | Muhammed Riyas, no income 2017-18 to 2020-21, no I-T returns filed |
| Investigations | ED probe initiated March 28, 2024, ongoing as of April 9, 2025 |
This table encapsulates the financial and legal dimensions of Veena’s life, highlighting the complexity of her situation.
Conclusion: A Legacy of Ambition and Adversity
Veena Vijayan’s biography is a narrative of ambition, achievement, and adversity. As the daughter of a high-profile political figure, she has navigated the challenges of public life while building a career in IT entrepreneurship. Her company, Exalogic Solutions, represents her professional aspirations, but the controversies surrounding it have cast a shadow over her achievements.
As of April 9, 2025, the ongoing ED investigation and political debates continue to shape her public image. Her story underscores the delicate balance between personal ambition and familial legacy, offering a glimpse into the pressures faced by those connected to power. Veena’s journey remains a compelling chapter in Kerala’s socio-political narrative, one that will likely evolve as legal proceedings unfold.
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