Demanded commission for road work; CPM councillor forced to resign, expelled from party's primary membership

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A CPM councillor was forced to resign after being caught demanding commission from residents and accepting Rs 5000 from an individual for laying interlock tiles on a corporation road. The party also expelled him from primary membership. The action was taken against B Rajendran, the councillor of Muttathara ward.

A video had surfaced showing Rajendran accepting Rs 5,000 as advance commission from a resident. Following this, CPM district secretary V. Joy and Mayor Arya Rajendran intervened and asked him to step down.

The corporation had sanctioned Rs 12 lakh for laying interlock tiles on a road inside Secular Gardens, Muttathara, where 20 families live. Rajendran allegedly demanded Rs 1 lakh from residents to start the work quickly. One resident handed over Rs 5,000, which was caught on video.

Mayor Arya Rajendran said the councillor’s act went against CPM values, and that the party acted immediately and set an example.

'Made a mistake, I apologise'
Rajendran, however, claimed he collected money to buy extra sand needed for the work. “The estimate allowed only two loads of sand, which is not enough. I took money to arrange more sand. I made a mistake, I apologise,” he told the media.

Strong action, says V Joy
District secretary V Joy said the party does not tolerate corruption. “We called him and took his resignation. CPM has always taken strict action against such misconduct. This is stronger action than what the BJP or UDF would do,” he said.