The political storm over alleged bribery in the Wadakkanchery block panchayat administration intensified on Friday, with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) rejecting the charges, while the Youth Congress and the Congress accused the ruling party of resorting to “backdoor deals” to cling to power.
Responding to the allegations, CPI(M) district secretary K.V. Abdul Khader said there had been “no attempt whatsoever” from the party’s side to lure or “poach” any member. “The allegations are baseless and unsupported by any evidence,” he said.
He added it was the Congress’ responsibility to protect the vote of the United Democratic Front-backed Independent. Mr. Khader made it clear that the CPI(M) would not resign from the block panchayat president or vice-president posts.
The controversy centres on allegations that the CPI(M) offered ₹50 lakh to Indian Union Muslim League-backed Independent E.U. Jaffer to vote in favour of the Left Democratic Front during the block panchayat president’s election.
Escalating the attack, Youth Congress State president O.J. Janeesh demanded clarity on whether the alleged ₹50 lakh offer was “tainted money from the Karuvannur cooperative bank scam.” “Those involved in the Karuvannur case are part of this deal,” he alleged.
