Kerala Assembly elections: K.C. Venugopal alleges CPI(M) is printing fake IDs in Kannur to rig polls

K.C. Venugopal, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary and MP, has alleged that the Communist Party of India-Marxist [CPI(M)] was engaged in manufacturing fake identity cards in Payyanur and Taliparamba in Kannur to “manipulate” the upcoming Assembly elections in Kerala.

Inaugurating an election convention in Payyanur on Wednesday night, he claimed that the alleged move was aimed at facilitating large-scale bogus voting.

“Information has been received that fake identity cards are being created in these areas as part of efforts to subvert the election process,“ he said.

Mr. Venugopal further alleged that even election ID cards of CPI(M) members were being duplicated.

“The irony is that they do not trust even their own cadre. The objective is to defeat CPI(M) rebel candidates by any means,” he added.

He said that the Indian National Congress had already identified the locations where such fake IDs were being printed and how they were planned to be distributed.

Seeks ECI action

He urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take note of the matter and initiate action.

Mr. Venugopal said that “those involved should remember that a UDF government would come to power,” indicating stricter accountability in the future.