Sat Nov 16 19:29:07 IST 2024: ## Congress Calls Kozhikode Hartal After Violent Cooperative Bank Election
**Kozhikode, Kerala –** The Congress party in Kozhikode district has announced a 12-hour hartal (shutdown) for Sunday, following violent clashes during the Chevayur Service Cooperative Bank elections on Saturday. The hartal, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., will exempt essential services.
Saturday’s election descended into chaos after accusations of fraudulent voting emerged between Congress members and rival factions allegedly backed by the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM). The clashes, which involved intense physical confrontations, forced a temporary suspension of voting. Police intervened, using lathi charges to quell the violence and restore order.
Congress MP M.K. Raghavan blamed the CPM for supporting the rebel factions, prompting protests from Congress workers. Party leaders have further criticized the police response and alleged authorities overlooked election irregularities. The incident has raised serious concerns about the conduct of local elections and the role of political parties in maintaining order.
First Piper 