Pathanamthitta MP Anto Antony serves legal notice on CPI(M) leader

Amid an intensifying political row over alleged irregularities in election funding, Pathanamthitta MP Anto Antony has served a legal notice on former CPI(M) district secretary K.P. Udayabhanu demanding that he withdraw what the MP described as “false and defamatory” allegations and issue an apology.

The notice follows a claim raised by Mr. Udayabhanu, currently a member of the CPI(M) state committee that the Sabarimala tantri had invested ₹2.5 crore in a private banking firm and it was withdrawn by the MP as the financial institution collapsed.

Meanwhile, the controversy further intensified after CPI(M) Adoor area secretary S. Manoj filed a complaint against Mr. Antony before the District Collector. In the complaint, Mr. Manoj alleged that the MP had misled the Election Commission of India by submitting incorrect statements of accounts and concealing financial transactions while filing his election affidavit. The complainant has sought a detailed inquiry and demanded registration of a criminal case against the MP.

Mr. Antony, on his part, has already denied all allegations, reiterating that the charges were part of a smear campaign timed to coincide with the election season.