Congress Accuses BJP Candidate of Cash-for-Votes Scheme in Kerala
Allegations of Vote Buying Surface Before Kerala Elections
On the eve of voting in Kerala, the Congress party has leveled serious allegations against BJP candidate Shobha Surendran, claiming she was caught distributing cash to voters in Palakkad. The BJP candidate has dismissed these claims as fabricated and has firmly denied any involvement in vote buying. According to Congress, a woman from Surendran's campaign team was seen handing money to an elderly woman in the Kannadi Panchayat area of Palakkad. The party has also released a video to support its claims.
Investigation Launched by Election Commission
Congress has presented photographs suggesting that the woman distributing money is a close associate of Shobha Surendran. Meanwhile, the Election Commission's flying squad has submitted a report to the district collector after investigating the allegations against Surendran, who has been informed that further inquiry is necessary.
Surendran's Counterclaims and Reactions
Surendran has accused a Congress leader and a television journalist of orchestrating these allegations, stating that she will file a police complaint against them. She further claimed that a video aired on a TV channel misrepresents the situation, showing women giving something to an elderly woman, which Congress has interpreted as cash distribution for votes. However, the elderly woman has denied receiving any money, stating she only requested 5000 rupees to buy medicine.
Viral Video Raises Questions
The viral video also shows Shobha Surendran exiting her car and engaging in a heated discussion with some individuals who recorded the footage. Surendran confronted them about filming without permission, explaining that she stepped out of the vehicle after someone made inappropriate gestures towards her.
Congress Criticizes Election Commission and BJP
KC Venugopal, Congress General Secretary, responded to the incident on social media, stating, 'The BJP candidate was caught red-handed distributing cash to voters in Palakkad on the eve of the elections. This is happening while the Election Commission remains oblivious to electoral malpractices. Manipulating elections is ingrained in the BJP's DNA, regardless of the circumstances or location. This is a crime, and the candidate should face punishment for this blatant violation of electoral rules. They have no legal or moral right to remain in the election.'