Sat Nov 16 14:13:56 UTC 2024: ## Congress Factional Fight Heats Up Ahead of Chevayur Bank Election
**Kozhikode, November 14, 2024** – A bitter factional fight within the Congress party in Kozhikode is threatening to derail the upcoming election for office-bearers at the Chevayur Service Cooperative Bank on November 16. The bank, boasting assets worth thousands of crores, is a key asset for the Congress, and the upcoming election has become a high-stakes battle between two rival factions.
The District Congress Committee (DCC) has accused the CPI(M) of attempting to manipulate the election to seize control of the bank, a claim fueled by KPCC president K. Sudhakaran’s recent warning to rebel Congress members. Eleven candidates from each faction are vying for positions.
The conflict, which dates back to 2019, has already caused political damage to the Congress. Internal divisions led to the loss of the Vellimadukunnu ward in the 2020 local body elections. The current chairman, G.C. Prasanth, initially aligned with the official faction but later switched sides, leading to disciplinary action against him.
DCC president K. Praveenkumar alleges that the rebel faction, in collaboration with CPI(M) leaders, is attempting to manipulate the voter list, claiming 1,861 voters were illegally added. He further alleges that officials have hampered the distribution of voter ID cards and are failing to provide adequate facilities at the polling center. He demanded the implementation of a Kerala High Court order mandating police security and video recording of the election process, and that illegally added votes be kept separate.
The Chevayur Service Cooperative Bank, established in 1963, has seven branches across Kozhikode. The upcoming election promises to be a crucial test of strength for the warring Congress factions.
First Piper 