Palakkad Bypolls: Kerala LoP Satheesan Accuses CPM-Led Govt Of Misusing Police Machinery, Urges EC Intervention

Leader of the Opposition in Kerala, VD Satheesan, has written to the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging that the CPI(M)-led state government is "misusing the police machinery" in the Palakkad by-election, while relegating election authorities to "helpless bystanders." Satheesan’s letter calls for urgent action, citing what he describes as police interference in the election process to benefit CPI(M) interests.According to Satheesan, the situation escalated with a recent police raid on a hotel in Palakkad, where CPI(M) and BJP activists had reportedly gathered outside prior to the raid. Satheesan alleged that representatives from a CPI(M)-affiliated television channel were also present, hinting at pre-planned coordination. "The police conducted the raid in a lackadaisical manner without taking any steps whatsoever to secure the gates or the doors of the Hotel. Consequently, this provided an ample opportunity for the CPI(M) and BJP activists, mobilised outside, to enter the Hotel and create an environment for conflict," he said, adding that this showed clear signs of a “pre-planned” operation intended to disrupt the election environment.In his letter, Satheesan also criticised the police conduct during the raid, pointing out the absence of female officers despite the presence of female guests, and the lack of proper identification among male officers in plain clothes. He further alleged that standard procedures, as prescribed under the BNSS guidelines, were not followed.Satheesan noted irregularities in the police report, emphasising that the receipts issued by the police stated “nothing including money was found,” rather than the usual wording like “nothing objectionable found” or “no unaccounted money found.” Kerala LoP V.D. Satheesan writes to Election Commission of India regarding a raid on a hotel in Palakkad, accusing the CPI(M)-led State Government of "misusing the Police machinery in the Palakkad By-election while relegating the Election Commission of India and Election… pic.twitter.com/Vaoz5xOFH0— ANI (@ANI) November 7, 2024 Accusing the CPI(M)-led government of undermining a fair electoral process while the Model Code of Conduct remains in effect, Satheesan called on the ECI to take immediate corrective steps. "It is evident that the CPI(M) led State Government is attempting to overthrow free and fair elections, while the Model Code of Conduct and other restrictions are still in place, I strongly urge the Hon'ble Election Commission of India to appraise this matter with the weight that it deserves, and to take urgent corrective steps to remedy police atrocities that already transpired, and to prevent further police atrocities, and to do all that is necessary to ensure free and fair elections, and to give proper directions to the Chief Electoral Officer and other Election Officials and the police machinery," he wrote, as per the report.