The “payment seat” controversy has once again hit the CPI in Kerala after Nattika incumbent MLA C.C. Mukundhan made allegations against the leadership. Mukundhan alleged that the party is planning to field former MLA Geetha Gopi instead of him because she could bring in funds. Gopi represented Nattika in 2011 and 2016.
Mukundhan alleged that the party is bringing back Geetha Gopi despite negative opinions about her and stated that he is prepared to reveal more regarding financial issues. He also announced that a press conference would be called in Thrissur within two days.
Meanwhile, Geetha Gopi said the party would respond to the allegations regarding the alleged “payment seat” in Nattika. Reportedly, the Congress leadership and the BJP are attempting to bring Mukundhan into their fold.
History repeating?
Notably, this is not the first time the CPI has faced allegations of a “payment seat”. The controversy earlier centred on claims that the party had “sold” the Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat to an independent candidate, Dr Bennet Abraham, in exchange for money. Abraham had reportedly donated ₹1.87 crore to the party leadership. His selection had shocked party workers at the time, as Abraham had no previous political affiliation with the Left.
After Abraham finished in a disappointing third place—behind Shashi Tharoor of the Congress and O. Rajagopal of the BJP—the internal rift within the party exploded. The CPI then appointed a three-member panel to investigate the matter.
Following the probe, the CPI leadership came down heavily on three leaders, including the then legislature party leader and former minister C. Divakaran, for their role in the controversial candidate selection. The episode also created a rift within the party, with a section demanding stronger action against Divakaran and the others. Eventually, all three leaders were demoted within the party.
Interestingly, the episode also led to the Lokayukta ordering a probe into the allegations. The order was based on a complaint filed by A. Shamnath, who alleged that Abraham’s candidature was the result of corruption and maladministration.
The CPI leadership challenged the Lokayukta’s authority in the Kerala High Court, arguing that the Lokayukta had no jurisdiction over the internal affairs of a political party or the selection of election candidates.
After nearly a decade, the Kerala High Court delivered its final verdict on the matter in April 2023, ruling that the Lokayukta does not have the authority to investigate the internal affairs of political parties.
