Anto Antony threatens legal action against CPI(M) leader Udayabhanu

In the eye of a storm over allegations of opaque election funding, Pathanamthitta Lok Sabha MP Anto Antony on Monday warned of legal action against Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] State committee member K.P. Udayabhanu for levelling false allegations.

In a video statement, Mr. Antony said Mr. Udayabhanu’s claim that he had withdrawn money deposited by the Sabarimala senior Tantri from the Nedumparambil Credit Syndicate, owned by N.M. Raju, following the firm’s collapse, was proven to be a blatant falsehood.

‘Fabricated allegation’

“After the initial allegation fell apart, Mr. Udayabhanu has now chosen to echo fresh accusations raised by Mr. Raju, who was earlier jailed in connection with a deposit fraud case,” the MP said. Pointing out that Mr. Raju is affiliated with a Left Democratic Front (LDF) constituent party, Mr. Antony dismissed as fabricated the allegation that he had borrowed ₹2 crore during the 2019 parliamentary election.

Mr. Antony challenged both Mr. Udayabhanu and Mr. Raju to produce documentary evidence to substantiate the claim. He also warned Health Minister Veena George that several more facts were yet to emerge, asking her to wait before responding further.

Earlier, Mr. Antony had acknowledged borrowing from Mr. Raju to finance his election campaign and said the amount was repaid within two months. However, he declined to disclose the exact sum received, fuelling speculation. Mr. Raju, on his part, has maintained that the MP received the money without documentation and has yet to repay the amount.