Jose Nelledam's suicide: Political controversies once again heating up in Wayanad

PULPALLY: The suicide of Congress leader and Mullankolly grama panchayat member Jose Nelledam has triggered a political storm in Wayanad. The controversy intensified after a video surfaced showing him speaking just hours before his death.

Jose, along with a few other leaders, had been accused of falsely implicating Perikkalloor ward Congress president Kanattumala Thankachan in a case. Deeply distressed by the campaign against him, Jose is believed to have taken his own life. In the video, Jose strongly asserted his innocence. He said he had only informed the police about a liquor and gambling incident in Perikkalloor, as he had done in the past. He also made it clear that he had never taken any unlawful benefit from anyone and lamented that the smear campaign was destroying his children’s future.

Jose was found unconscious near a pond close to his house on Friday morning. He was rushed to the hospital but could not be saved. His death has been described by the CPI(M) and CPI as part of a series of mysterious deaths of Congress leaders in Wayanad in recent years. According to them, factionalism and cooperative bank scams are behind these tragedies. More than five Congress workers have died by suicide in the district in the past few years.

Jose Nelledam’s suicide note withheld by police
Police have reportedly withheld Jose’s suicide note. Some notes were recovered from his house. In the letter, Jose accused certain Congress leaders, including a local leader, of falsely implicating him in a case without evidence. The note also said he was unable to bear the defamatory campaigns against him on social media.