Sat Jan 18 10:53:12 UTC 2025: **Kerala Councillor Allegedly Abducted Before No-Confidence Vote**
KOCHI, Kerala – A dramatic incident unfolded Saturday morning outside the Koothattukulam municipal office, where CPI(M) councillor Kala Raju was allegedly abducted. Ms. Raju, who recently defected to the opposition United Democratic Front (UDF), was reportedly about to vote in favor of a no-confidence motion against the CPI(M) chairperson, Vijaya Sivan.
The abduction occurred just before the scheduled vote, which the UDF boycotted, claiming a fair vote was impossible following the incident. The UDF alleges Ms. Raju was forcibly taken away by CPI(M) members in the chairperson’s car, with Congress councillor Boban Varghese stating that another UDF councillor, Lissy Jose, was also assaulted. Ms. Sivan is reportedly hospitalized and unavailable for comment.
Ms. Raju’s children have filed a missing person report with the Koothattukulam police station and petitioned the Chief Minister and State Police Chief. The Congress, led by District Congress Committee President Mohammed Shiyas, subsequently staged a protest outside the police station, accusing the police of inaction and siding with the CPI(M). They presented video evidence of the alleged abduction.
Mr. Shiyas criticized the police for allegedly failing to provide protection to opposition councillors, as per a High Court order, and claimed the police facilitated Ms. Raju’s removal. The opposition plans to boycott further votes until Ms. Raju is found and can participate. The incident has raised significant political tensions in the municipality.
First Piper 