Bribery row: CPI(M) denies deal, Cong. mounts sharp attack

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.

Mr. Janeesh named Wadakkanchery MLA Xavier Chittilappilly and CPI(M) leader and MLA A.C. Moideen, claiming both had links to the alleged bribe offer.

“If Jaffer’s call records are examined, many more facts will come out,” Mr. Janeesh said. He asserted that such a deal could not have taken place without the knowledge of the CPI(M)’s top leadership. Drawing parallels with other local bodies, he alleged that the CPI(M) had followed a similar strategy in Mattathur by backing Congress rebel.

Mr. Janeesh pointed to the emergence of an audio clip allegedly featuring a CPI(M) area secretary promising protection to Mr. Jaffer. “That itself amounts to an admission that the bribe offer existed,” he said. Warning of intensified protests, he said the Youth Congress would launch agitation programmes if the CPI(M)-led block panchayat leadership refused to resign from posts “won using corrupt money.”

Adding to the criticism, District Congress Committee president Joseph Tajet said the episode exposed the CPI(M) leadership’s “unrestrained hunger for power.” “The way the CPI(M) captured the Wadakkanchery block panchayat presidency through backdoor puts even north Indian-style political horse-trading to shame,” he said.

“If there is any political morality left, the president should resign and restore the dignity lost by democracy,” Mr. Tajet said, accusing the CPI(M) of sacrificing ethical politics for administrative control.