The cash-for-votes controversy in Palakkad constituency has intensified following the release of new visuals by the Congress party on Wednesday, escalating political tensions a day before the assembly elections. They also released photos purportedly showing BJP workers distributing sarees to women voters in Palakkad.
The footage released by the Congress allegedly links BJP’s Palakkad candidate, Sobha Surendran, to the scandal and appear to contradict her earlier statement that only she and her aide, Prameela Sasidharan, were in her vehicle. In the new video, a third woman is seen in the back seat of the car. When the vehicle stops, Sobha quickly shuts the door while the woman tries to step out, raising questions about Surendran’s version of events.
Congress leaders have identified the woman as Simi Sajeev, a BJP worker reportedly based in Mumbai. They allege that Sobha tried to prevent her from exiting the vehicle, strengthening suspicions of a coordinated cash-for-votes operation. Additional visuals show Sajeev participating in BJP campaign events in Palakkad, including rallies attended by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and other election-related gatherings with Sobha.
After the allegations, the Election Commission’s flying squad conducted an inquiry, visiting the home of an elderly voter, Devu, 65, who had reportedly been offered money. However, the voter from Kannadi panchayat denied receiving any cash during questioning.
Kerala CEO Rathan U Kelkar said the flying squad has filed a preliminary report with the district collector. The collector said a detailed probe is required even though the voter has denied receiving any money.
Sobha has filed a police complaint, accusing Congress workers of misconduct. She denied the allegations, asserting that no unauthorised person was in her vehicle and claiming that she did not distribute money to voters. She accused both the Congress and a TV journalist of "fabricating" the video aired on television.
The saree distribution row came to fore after BJP women supporters participating in the final leg of the campign on Tuesday wore same type of sarees.
