Thu Nov 07 15:55:31 UTC 2024: ## Palakkad Byelection Turns Ugly: Congress-CPI(M) Clash Over Midnight Raid Allegations

**Palakkad, November 7, 2024:** The ongoing byelection in Palakkad has descended into a bitter war of words between the Congress and the CPI(M), fueled by allegations of black money and a controversial “midnight raid.”

The controversy began with a raid on the room of Congress leader Shanimol Usman at a hotel, where police were looking for evidence of alleged black money transactions. Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan accused Local Self-Governments Minister M.B. Rajesh of orchestrating the raid with the help of his brother-in-law, Nithin Kanichery, and threatened consequences for the minister.

CPI(M) leaders, including District Secretary E.N. Suresh Babu, Central Committee member A.K. Balan, and Rajesh himself, have vehemently denied the accusations and challenged Satheesan to prove his claims. Balan went so far as to call Satheesan a “bigger goon” than Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president K. Sudhakaran and alleged that Satheesan is a “Sangh Parivar supporter at heart.”

Rajesh accused Satheesan of using “goons’ language” and claimed that Usman, who he called a “good woman leader with guts,” acted her part well in a pre-planned drama. He questioned why she didn’t open the door for the police if she had nothing to hide.

Satheesan, in turn, accused the CPI(M) of being a party that will “destroy those it opposes” and mocked their “contrasting versions” of the incident. He also expressed relief that no drugs were found in the car of Rahul Mamkootathil, who is associated with the Congress.

Adding fuel to the fire, BJP State Secretary K. Surendran alleged that surveillance footage from the hotel proves black money exchanges between Congress leaders.

The byelection in Palakkad has now become a platform for a heated political battle, with accusations and counter-accusations flying thick and fast. The allegations of black money and the raid have cast a dark shadow over the campaign, raising concerns about the integrity of the electoral process.

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