Mon Jan 13 09:38:31 UTC 2025: **CPI(M) Demands Congress Take Responsibility for Suicide of Wayanad Treasurer**
KOZHIKODE, Kerala – January 13, 2025 – The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has challenged the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) to assume responsibility for the financial burden faced by the family of N.M. Vijayan, a Wayanad District Congress Committee (DCC) treasurer who died by suicide last month.
M.V. Govindan, CPI(M) State secretary, visited Vijayan’s family on Monday and stated that the CPI(M) would address the family’s financial liabilities if the KPCC fails to do so. He criticized the KPCC for allegedly attacking and insulting the family instead of providing support. Govindan further commented that Sulthan Bathery MLA I.C. Balakrishnan, implicated in Vijayan’s death, is unable to face public scrutiny following allegations made in letters Vijayan wrote before his death.
Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan also visited the family and reported that the Congress party is unaware of the whereabouts of Mr. Balakrishnan and DCC president N.D. Appachan, both accused of abetment to suicide.
Vijayan and his son died on December 27th after an alleged suicide attempt. Letters written by Vijayan accused Balakrishnan of taking bribes for offering jobs at the Sulthan Bathery Urban Cooperative Bank and both Balakrishnan and Appachan of failing to repay their debts at the bank. Vijayan reportedly incurred significant financial liabilities due to the financial demands of Congress leaders.
The district police have filed charges of abetment to suicide against Balakrishnan and other local party leaders, sparking a political controversy and placing the opposition on the defensive.
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