Kerala CPI(M) Faces Political Heat Over Sexual Misconduct, Corruption Allegations

In Palakkad, the party removed district secretary E.N. Suresh Babu on Sunday and appointed V. Chenthamarakshan as his successor. The move came amid a complaint by a woman lawyer associated with a party-affiliated organisation, who is understood to have submitted digital evidence to the party leadership. She has alleged that Suresh Babu behaved improperly towards her and harassed her over an extended period.

Suresh Babu stepped down from the district secretary's post, citing personal reasons. The CPI(M) is expected to take further internal action in connection with the complaint.

The Palakkad controversy has emerged alongside questions surrounding former Greater Cochin Development Authority chairman and current CPI(M) state secretariat member C.N. Mohanan.

The Kerala government has ordered a Vigilance inquiry into the Mundamveli Life Mission housing complex in Kochi following allegations of construction irregularities and poor living conditions at the project. The complex was built for families under a housing scheme and has faced serious complaints regarding its condition within a relatively short period after construction.

A Vigilance case has been registered in connection with the project, during the period when Mohanan was GCDA chairman. The Muvattupuzha Vigilance Court has directed that a report on the status of the case be submitted on October 22.

Questions have also been raised over the suitability of the land selected for the project. Reports have cited revenue records describing the land as marshy, while the site is also located beneath a high-tension electricity line. The proposal for the project has been linked to Mohanan.

In Thiruvananthapuram, the CPI(M) has ordered an internal inquiry following allegations against its Corporation councillor S. Ajin, who has been accused of demanding Rs 10 lakh from a landowner in connection with a dispute involving property.

The allegation was made by Sanju, a resident of Thirumala, who released purported audio and video recordings in which Ajin is alleged to have sought the money in connection with a 19-cent property near MLA Road in the Thrikkannapuram ward. Sanju has also approached authorities with a complaint.

Ajin has denied the allegation and claimed that the audio and video material circulating against him was fabricated or edited. He has maintained that his intervention was connected to alleged encroachment of government land rather than any demand for money.

CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan has confirmed that the party's Thiruvananthapuram district committee will conduct an inquiry into the allegations.

The controversies have also drawn political attention from the Congress. KPCC president and Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph has referred to his handling of an earlier complaint involving a Congress legislator and said that matter had been immediately transferred to the state police.

The three cases have given the Opposition fresh political ammunition as the Kerala Legislative Assembly prepares for a nine-day sitting beginning later this week. The allegations are expected to come under scrutiny during the session, with the ruling UDF likely to raise questions over the conduct of CPI(M) leaders and the party's internal accountability mechanisms.

The CPI(M), meanwhile, faces separate inquiries and investigations into the allegations, with the outcome of those proceedings yet to be established.