The Election Commission of India (EC) is said to have sought a report from the district collector regarding the midnight police raid in Kerala’s Palakkad on Wednesday, 6 November.
The district collector, also the District Electoral Officer (DEO), has been asked to brief the ECI about the raid, its circumstances, the outcome and any possible follow-up action.
Political tensions flared in Palakkad Assembly Constituency in the wee hours of Wednesday following a controversial police search at hotel rooms occupied by Congress women leaders, Bindu Krishna and Shanimol Usman, ahead of the 20 November by-election.
The search, conducted around midnight as part of a routine operation to curb black money influence during the election, led to immediate protests from Congress supporters who accused police of bias.
VD Satheesan reaches out to ECI
Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, V.D. Satheesan, approached the EC with a grievance that the state government is using the police to malign the UDF and its candidate Rahul Mamkootathil.
He alleged the raid that was allegedly conducted without following the established standard operating procedure points in that direction.
Satheesan alleged misuse of powers by the ruling CPI(M) to interfere with the by-election and accused the government of using law enforcement as a political tool, compromising the integrity of the electoral process and rendering election officials “pawns” in a larger scheme to influence the outcome.
The Opposition said no senior district officials, such as the Additional District Magistrate (ADM) or the Revenue Divisional Officer (RDO), were present during the search.
“This absence of designated officials contradicts the procedural norms set forth by the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita for conducting searches of this nature,” Satheesan said.
The Opposition leaders contend that these tactics were intended to intimidate them and create an atmosphere of fear as voting day nears.
They also emphasised that the search violates the Model Code of Conduct (MCC), currently in effect for the by-election, and accused the CPI(M) of attempting to “sabotage” the election process.
Satheesan further demanded an investigation by the ECI and corrective measures to ensure a fair electoral process.
The Congress, at the state and national levels, is highlighting the midnight raid as a political issue.
Congress MPs VK Sreekandan and Shafi Parambil criticised the operation as a targeted attempt to disrupt their campaign efforts. “This is an unprecedented intrusion,” Sreekandan said.
Police confirmed that 12 rooms, including those of leaders from multiple parties, were searched as a preventive measure, but no illicit funds or materials were found. They defended the operation as a standard election practice aimed at preventing any malpractice.
The incident has also drawn responses from leaders across party lines. CPM-led LDF representatives arrived at the hotel and demanded a thorough review of its CCTV footage to ensure transparency, while BJP leaders raised similar concerns.
Congress alleges conspiracy
Congress, however, alleged a larger conspiracy as they pointed out that the inspection was a farce as CPI(M), and BJP workers gathered in front of the hotel.
According to Shafi Parambil, the police had not followed the standard protocol while conducting the inspection. He also alleged that the police personnel desisted to hand over a statement mentioning what they got, and didn’t get during the search.
Soon after, Congress announced a protest march to the district police chief’s office on Wednesday at 11 am.
KPCC general secretary in charge of organisation M Liju also announced that protests will be held at district headquarters across the state under the leadership of respective DCCs.
This article was originally published on South First.
