Police stop car carrying Shafi and Rahul in Nilambur; search bag

NILAMBUR: Police searched the vehicle carrying Shafil Parambil MP and Rahul Mamkootathil MLA in Nilambur where the by-polls are being held. Their vehicle was searched at Vadapuram in Nilambur at 10 pm last night. A trolley bag which was in the car was taken out and examined. It contained clothes and books.

Rahul Mamkootathil raised at the officials during the vehicle inspection. Footage of Shafi and Rahul telling the officials not to furnish duties for the CPM has emerged. Shafi Parambil and Rahul Mamkootathil responded that the search was partial. Shafi also criticized that only the vehicles of UDF MPs and people's representatives are being searched.

The 'blue trolley bag’ controversy had caused a lot of discussion in the Palakkad by-election. The police conducting night searches in hotel rooms where Congress leaders were staying during the Palakkad by-elections, had led to a major controversy. KPCC chief Sunny Joseph responded that it was a repeat of the trolley bag controversy in Nilambur. Sunny Joseph criticized that this move is to divert attention from the election issue.

However, LDF candidate M Swaraj responded that police raids were normal during election time. Swaraj said the CPM has no role in the incident and that if Congress leaders have any complaints, they can take legal action.