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Nilambur bypoll turns into an intellectual wrestling match; voters still want roads, not rhetoric

Nilambur bypoll turns into an intellectual wrestling match; voters still want roads, not rhetoric

MALAPPURAM: As Nilambur heads to vote on June 19 in one of the most talked-about bypolls in Kerala, the real battle isn't just between LDF's M Swaraj and UDF's Aryadan Shoukath -- it's also between two rival camps of writers and 'cultural icons' trying to out-endorse each other.
Both candidates are widely accepted as members of Kerala's 'buji' (intellectual) circle -- well-read, well-spoken, and perhaps more likely to be found in a lit fest than a local market. The result? The campaign trail turned into something resembling a literary seminar with political banners.
The buzz began when LDF launched a campaign fronted by cultural heavyweights, wrapped under the banner "Samskarika Keralam Swarajinoppam".
In simpler terms: 'All the cultured folks are with Swaraj.'
A public meet held on June 11 featured an all-star lineup -- K R Meera, Murukan Kattakada, Benyamin, Sheela Tomy, PT Kunjumuhammed and others -- who lent their names and reputations to push for Swaraj.
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UDF Opposition seeks to weaponise leak of confidential complaint to CPI(M) polit bureau, accusing certain Kerala leaders of corruption
UDF Opposition seeks to weaponise leak of confidential complaint to CPI(M) polit bureau, accusing certain Kerala leaders of corruption

The Hindu

time3 hours ago

  • The Hindu

UDF Opposition seeks to weaponise leak of confidential complaint to CPI(M) polit bureau, accusing certain Kerala leaders of corruption

The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Opposition on Sunday (August 17, 2025) sought to politically weaponise the media leak of a purported 'confidential complaint' to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] polit bureau, reportedly accusing an assemblage of party leaders from Kerala, including former Ministers, of partnering in financial shenanigans allegedly enabled by a U.K.-based business person from the State. Leader of the Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, who demanded a clarification from the party and government on the veracity of the accusation, pointed out that the controversial letter, which grabbed headlines in Kerala, was adduced as evidence in a libel suit in New Delhi involving two business persons with apparent CPI(M) connections. UDF demands CM's resignation after court accuses political executive of subverting anti-corruption probe against ADGP He said the crux of the litigation appeared to be bitter feuding between two business rivals for the patronage of powerful CPI(M) leaders. 'Financial transactions gone awry might also have fuelled the disagreement, which has put the CPI(M) on the defensive in Kerala,' he added. Mr. Satheesan noted that the U.K.-based businessperson was an invitee to the CPI(M)'s 24th party conference in Madurai in April 2025 and a member of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government-sponsored Kerala Loka Sabha. Mr. Satheesan said the NRI's rival objected to the businessperson's presence at the conference and later submitted a lengthy letter loaded with accusations of financial fraud, including possible FEMA violations allegedly involving CPI(M) leaders in Kerala. Vigilance court verdict on ADGP validates Opposition's claim, says Satheesan Mr. Satheesan said the serious imputations in the letter, if true, prima facie warranted investigation under the provisions of the anti-money laundering law. 'For one, the accuser alleged in the letter that the previous LDF government routed major projects to a paper company floated by the NRI businessperson in Chennai. Is this a classic case of reverse hawala?' he said. V.D. Satheesan assures to field CMP candidates from more than one seat in 2026 Assembly elections 'I am not taking names at this juncture. However, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. Govindan owed the public an explanation. It's also mystifying how the confidential letter to the CPI(M) polit bureau ended in the possession of an NRI businessperson to adduce as evidence in court. It seems the letter's leak has brought to the fore the hidden but deeply entrenched fissures in the CPI(M) leadership in Kerala,' he stated. The CPI(M) was yet to react to Mr. Satheesan's accusations. Attempts to seek a comment about Mr. Satheesan's allegations from a few leaders were yet to yield a response.

UDF demands CM's resignation after court accuses political executive of subverting anti-corruption probe against ADGP
UDF demands CM's resignation after court accuses political executive of subverting anti-corruption probe against ADGP

The Hindu

timea day ago

  • The Hindu

UDF demands CM's resignation after court accuses political executive of subverting anti-corruption probe against ADGP

Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) Opposition stated that the court's 'damning indictment of the political executive for subverting a Vigilance investigation to exonerate Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, M. R. Ajith Kumar, from corruption accusations had deprived Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who holds the Home portfolio, the moral right to continue in office. Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan noted that the court held that the 'superpower authority controlling' the VACB, which he claimed was an unambiguous allusion to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO), devalued the Supreme Court's strictures and statutory principles of criminal procedure by conducting a pretence of a preliminary verification against Mr Ajith Kumar. Mr. Satheesan had earlier accused the officer of being a political insider, who allegedly intrigued with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leadership at the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government's behest, especially during the run-up to the 2024 general elections. Quoting Shakespeare, Mr Satheesan sought to press the UDF's case for Mr Vijayan's resignation. He mentioned the adage 'Ceaser's wife must be above suspicion' applied to Mr Vijayan. Mr Satheesan stressed that those in high office should uphold the law and appear to do so justly. He noted the court had flagged an 'invisible penetration by someone into the enquiry that led to the preparation of a report favourable to the suspect (Mr Ajith Kumar)'. Mr Satheesan observed that Kerala Congress (M) founder and Finance Minister in the Oommen Chandy government, K. M. Mani, had set an example by resigning in the wake of tumultuous 2013-14 bar bribery protests orchestrated by the CPI(M) and led by Mr Vijayan. 'Mr Vijayan should follow Mani's example', he added. KPCC president Sunny Joseph, MLA and UDF convener Adoor Prakash stated that political propriety demanded Mr. Vijayan resign forthwith. Meanwhile, the VACB's preliminary verification report, which discharges Mr. Ajith Kumar of illegal amassment of wealth, including the purchase of prime housing property in Thiruvananthapuram, profiting from unlawful felling of valuable timber on government property, and benefiting from police interdictions of contraband gold in North Kerala, surfaced on the public domain on Saturday. Subsequently, A Nagaraj, the public interest litigant who moved the court for an anti-corruption enquiry against Mr Ajith Kumar, filed a petition seeking punitive action, including forfeiture of the salary, against the Vigilance officials, who allegedly conspired to save the ranking office from prosecution by making a pretense of an investigation and accepting the suspect's words as incontrovertible truth.

Leniency for convicts, misuse of UAPA draw flak at CPI conference
Leniency for convicts, misuse of UAPA draw flak at CPI conference

New Indian Express

timea day ago

  • New Indian Express

Leniency for convicts, misuse of UAPA draw flak at CPI conference

PATHANAMTHITTA: In a strong critique of the state home department, the district conference of the CPI in Pathanamthitta has raised concerns over the misuse of Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and the provision of 'lenient conditions' for high-profile jail convicts including Kodi Suni, the prime accused in the T P Chandrasekharan murder. The political report, presented at the three-day meet being held in Konni, asked the ruling front to ensure fairness in the system. CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam, in his address, also took aim at the home department, cautioning the LDF government against the indiscriminate use of UAPA. Referring to the cases of Alan Shuhaib and Taha Fazal, Viswam said: 'Cases can be registered when there are valid reasons, but the government should not appear as one that keeps people in jail indefinitely under UAPA. That is the CPI policy.' He also cited the plight of Maoist leader Roopesh, who reportedly had to go on a hunger strike to publish a book, despite the Supreme Court having affirmed prisoners' right to do so. 'Kerala should not become a state that permanently detains citizens. CPI cannot accept this. UDF and BJP can do it, the Left government should not,' he stressed. The report highlighted that top police officers like ADGP Ajith Kumar are even disregarding ministerial directives. The report further criticised nepotism in Kudumbashree-linked appointments and warned that political welcoming of those accused under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA) and even POCSO could trigger public backlash. While acknowledging significant modernisation in the health sector, the CPI report called for better administrative discipline at the senior level. 'Kudumbashree is a major women's empowerment initiative, but placing its members directly in government departments without going through PSC (Public Service Commission) or employment exchange can raise fairness concerns and affect departmental functioning. Strong financial discipline is essential to avoid irregularities,' the report noted. Environmental concerns — including quarrying, soil removal, and paddy field reclamation — were also flagged, with the party calling for tighter vigil. The report also criticised the functioning of the animal husbandry department. On the national front, the CPI accused the RSS of attempting to portray itself as the 'apostles of the country' while glorifying leaders like Vinayak Savarkar 'who apologised to the British six times'. It also warned against Christian priests maintaining ties with the BJP, saying 'wolves in sheep's clothing' must be identified. The district meet will conclude on Saturday.

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