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Kerala Vigilance Opens Probe Into ₹50 Lakh Bribe Claim in Wadakkanchery Panchayat as CPI(M) Denies Deal

A leaked call featuring IUML-backed councillor E. U. Jaffer triggered the inquiry after a 7–7 split made his vote decisive.

Overview

  • The Congress released an audio clip and former MLA Anil Akkara filed a complaint, prompting a preliminary inquiry by the Kerala Vigilance Department.
  • In the tied Wadakkanchery block panchayat, E. U. Jaffer backed the LDF’s K. V. Nafeesa for president and skipped the vice-president vote, enabling the LDF to secure both posts.
  • Jaffer resigned following the row and is reported to be in hiding, while A. A. Musthafa says their conversation occurred on 26 December.
  • CPI(M) leaders, including state secretary M. V. Govindan and district secretary K. V. Abdul Khader, deny any horse-trading and refuse to relinquish the panchayat leadership.
  • KPCC chief Sunny Joseph demands arrests and expulsions, and Youth Congress leaders call for scrutiny of call records and potential links to the Karuvannur cooperative bank case.