Midnight raid drama in Palakkad: CPI(M) claims Congress brought in black money

Late-night police raids on Congress leaders’ rooms at a Palakkad hotel have snowballed into a political controversy, with the CPI(M) accusing the Congress of bringing ‘black money’ to the hotel.
The CPI(M) claimed a trolley bag containing money was brought to the hotel, where Congress candidate Rahul Mamkootathil, Vadakara MP Shafi Parambil and party leader Jyothi Kumar Chamakkala were staying.
CCTV footage showing a Youth Congress leader with a blue trolley bag was released to support the claim.
The Congress said the raids, conducted late Tuesday and into early Wednesday, were politically motivated ahead of the Palakkad by-election. No evidence was found, with a police officer confirming, “Nothing was found in the rooms.”
Rahul Mamkootathil denied the accusations, stating the bag contained his clothes and challenged CPI(M) to prove otherwise. He accused CPI(M) of colluding with the BJP and demanded the release of more CCTV footage. He also threatened legal action against defamation and called for a “scientific investigation” of the bag.
Meanwhile, Opposition leader VD Satheeshan wrote to the Election Commission, accusing CPI(M) of misusing the police for political purposes, citing the late-night raids.
“Therefore as 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,” Satheesan wrote, urging the ECI to take “urgent corrective steps”.
He said that the ECI should take up this matter and remedy the “police atrocities that have already transpired, and prevent further police atrocities”.
The letter requested the ECI to take swift action and direct the Chief Electoral Officer, election officials, and the police “to ensure free and fair elections”.