Kerala, 24 നവംബര്‍ (H.S.)

Thiruvananthapuram: Former ADGP and BJP candidate in the local body elections, R. Sreelekha, alleged that the reason the CPM is unopposed in several places in Kerala is because they are issuing threats. The allegation was made via a post on the social media platform, Facebook.

Full text of the Facebook post: Is there any mistake in my statement that the Communist Party is a party that rules the country by terrifying and threatening the people to get votes? They proudly report that the LDF has no opposition candidates in four wards in Kannur! Why is this so? If anyone stands up against them, they will be killed. This is their brand of democracy!

Today, during the scrutiny at the Thiruvananthapuram Civil Station, a CPM candidate brutally assaulted the opposition candidate and, along with him, the Press Club Secretary! And yet, there is no case registered! R. Sreelekha pointed out.

Allegations are surfacing in numerous locations that the CPM intimidated opposition candidates into withdrawing. In most of these places, fear prevents anyone from coming forward to speak the real truth.

Incidents Where Allegations of CPM Threatening

01. Anthoor Municipality: LDF Wins 5 Wards Unopposed Before the Election

The uncontested victory of 5 candidates occurred after the nominations of two UDF candidates were rejected, and one candidate withdrew. Earlier.

K. Livya, the candidate for the 26th ward, who the UDF alleged was kidnapped, submitted a letter stating her withdrawal from the candidacy. Livya came to the municipal office today and announced her withdrawal. With this, 5 wards went unopposed.

The Leader of the Opposition, V. D. Satheesan, reacted to the rejection of the UDF nominations in Anthoor, Kannur. He said that officials are being used to reject nominations for trivial reasons. Candidates are being forced to withdraw their nominations through death threats. He alleged that even returning officers are being controlled and that the CPI(M) is threatening people in many places. V. D. Satheesan also alleged that the returning officer was threatened in Alangad and Kadamakudy.

Wards that cpm won unopposed

Anthoor Municipality (5 wards)

Morazha (Ward 2) - K. Rajitha

Podikkundu (Ward 19) - K. Premarajan

Thalil - K.V. Premarajan (Different person from the one above)

Kodallur - E. Rajitha (Different person from the one above)

Anchampidika (Ward 3) - T.V. Dhanya

Malapattam Grama Panchayat (3 wards)

Aduvappuram North (Ward 5) - I.V. Othenan

Aduvappuram South (Ward 6) - C.K. Shreya

Kovunthala (Ward 12) - M.V. Shigina

Kannapuram Grama Panchayat (6 wards)

Ward 1 - Usha Mohanan

Kannapuram Centre (Ward 3) - K.V. Sajina

Ward 8 - T.E. Mohanan

Trikottil (Ward 10) - Prema Surendran

Idakkepuram South (Ward 13) - P. Reethi

Idakkepuram Central (Ward 14) - P.V. Reshma

02. Madikai Panchayat, Kasaragod

The BJP is approaching the High Court regarding the rejection of the nomination paper of a candidate in Madikai Panchayat, Kasaragod. The BJP alleged that CPI(M) workers entered the house of the person who supported the candidate and threatened him. BJP District President M. L. Ashwini said the supporter was threatened 5 times under the leadership of the CPI(M) local secretary. M. L. Ashwini said that the supporter stated that the signature was not his during the scrutiny out of fear for his life. The rejected nomination was for Rajitha, the BJP candidate for the 10th ward, Bangalam, in Madikai.

03. CPM Issues Death Threat in Agali Grama Panchayat, Attappadi

V. R. Ramakrishnan, an independent candidate, alleged that a local CPI(M) worker threatened to kill him if he refused to withdraw from the upcoming local self-government election. V. R. Ramakrishnan, who is contesting from the 18th ward, also released an audio clip of the phone call to support his claim.

04. BLO suicide: CPM pressure allegation

The opposition parties in kerala has alleged that booth-level officer (BLO) Aneesh George, who died by suicide days before, was pressured by the CPM.

Releasing audio of a phone conversation between the BLO and Congress worker and booth-level agent (BLA) Vyshakh at a news conference DCC president Martin George said that BLAs deputed by political parties are supposed to accompany BLOs to help identify households. However, instead of sending the BLA, CPM deputed its branch secretary Chandran to accompany the BLO.

On the second day, Chandran was replaced by a DYFI leader. On the third, Aneesh reportedly called Vyshakh and told him not to accompany him as “there were problems”. Martin said the CPM put pressure on the BLO not to take the Congress BLA along with him on house visits.

Elections, are now became in some places in kerala , a stage where the voice of opposition is silenced. The absence of competition does not mean that the ruling party is strong; rather, it means that the opposition has lost the opportunity to operate freely. When victory is declared without winning a single vote, the people of that area are denied the opportunity to exercise their rights. This indicates the decline of democracy, more than the victory of any one party.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Roshith K