Cash-for-Votes Allegation Sparks Political Firestorm in Palakkad
A major political controversy has erupted in Palakkad, Kerala, just hours before the assembly elections, after Congress workers released a viral video on social media. The footage allegedly shows Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) workers distributing cash to influence voters in the constituency, igniting a fierce debate among political parties.
Congress Accuses BJP of Voter Bribery
Congress party workers have alleged that NDA candidate Shobha Surendran, along with some BJP workers, visited a house in Kannadi grama panchayat on Wednesday morning. They claim that money was given to an elderly voter named Devu as part of a cash distribution scheme. The video, secretly recorded on a mobile phone, shows a woman in a white dress handing cash to Devu at her home in Tharuvakurissi.
Congress workers assert that this woman was a BJP worker accompanying Surendran and that Surendran was present nearby in a car used by BJP workers during the incident. They further alleged that BJP workers distributed money after visiting a nearby home where a person had died. Later, Congress workers confronted Surendran over the alleged cash distribution, leading to a heated exchange where she objected to being recorded on their phones.
Shobha Surendran Denies Allegations as Baseless
In response, Shobha Surendran has vehemently denied the allegations, terming them completely baseless and politically motivated. She claimed that Congress targeted her because she was confident of winning in Palakkad. Surendran alleged that a local Congress leader and a journalist were behind the accusations and announced her intention to file a police complaint against them.
Surendran explained that she had gone to Kannadi grama panchayat to visit a cancer patient and accused Congress workers of continuously following her since Wednesday morning. She stated that they tried to stop her vehicle, accused her of distributing money to voters, and used abusive language, which forced her to react angrily.
Election Officials Launch Investigation
Meanwhile, Palakkad Collector M S Madhavikutty confirmed that a preliminary enquiry has been completed, with a report submitted to the chief electoral officer. She stated that the video footage will be investigated further, and the matter will be handed over to the police for a detailed enquiry. A final report is expected to be submitted before April 11.
As part of the initial enquiry, the collector spoke to Surendran, though her formal statement was not recorded. Soon after the video surfaced, the election department's flying squad and the district special branch reached Kannadi and collected statements from those linked to the incident. Officials also recorded Devu's statement.
Voter's Statement Adds to the Controversy
When reporters asked Devu whether anyone had given her money, she said she had not received money from anyone but added that she was told money would be given. Devu mentioned that she had asked for money to buy her medicines, adding a layer of complexity to the allegations.
Political Fallout in Final Campaign Hours
As the video went viral, the issue quickly became a major political flashpoint, with the United Democratic Front (UDF) and Left Democratic Front (LDF) using it to attack the BJP in the final hours of silent campaigns. This scandal has intensified the electoral battle in Palakkad, raising questions about voter integrity and campaign ethics just before the polls.
