Palakkad: A major confrontation and tension escalated early today in Palakkad district when police conducted a late-night search at a local hotel, suspecting black money might be used to influence the upcoming by-election in the Palakkad Assembly constituency. The matter turned out to be a political battle with Congress party leader’s alleging that the raids was a conspiracy that is being hatched by the ruling LDF government to defame congress ahead of the Palakkad By-polls.
The searches, which began around midnight, included inspecting rooms occupied by Congress leaders Bindu Krishna and Shanimol Usman. Objections were raised when officers attempted to enter the room of a female leader without woman officers present. Congress alleges a major conspiracy behind the raids to tarnish the party ahead of polls in Palakkad.
“This is nothing but a conspiracy by the left government with the BJP to tarnish the Congress party as they clearly know that Congress is set to win the polls. The entire incident that took place today was a clear drama if one would closely watch. How come few news channels come along with the police? How can male police officers enter the rooms of women politicians?”, questioned senior Congress leader Shafi Parambil.
Congress activists gathered outside the hotel in protest of the police action, while police confirmed that a total of 12 rooms, including those of leaders from multiple political parties, were searched as part of a standard procedure. “Nothing was found in the rooms,” a police officer stated, adding that searches in hotels and lodges are ongoing to prevent malpractice during the November 20 by-election.
Meanwhile, Congress leaders protested outside the commissioner’s office in Palakkad against the raids conducted by the police in the wee hours of the day. Meanwhile, senior CPM leaders defended the police action and stated that the police raids were conducted as per special inputs received and there is nothing unusual in the raids.
“During polls it is normal that police get information on unaccounted money and hence raids are conducted. There is nothing abnormal in this”, said MB Rajesh, senior CPM leader and state cabinet minister.
Meanwhile the police is yet to release the details of the raids.
