CPM's 50 lakhs offer to defect in block panchayat election, vigilance begins preliminary investigation, Jaffer missing

THRISSUR: Vigilance has started a preliminary investigation into the revelation of Jaffer Master (EU Jaffer) that he was offered Rs 50 lakh as a member of Thali Division to support the CPM candidate for the post of Wadakkanchery Block President. The investigation is based on a complaint by Congress leader Anil Akkara. Meanwhile, relatives say that Jaffer is not at home. They say that he left home after resigning and his whereabouts are unknown.

Jaffer Master's audio recording, which said that the CPM had promised him Rs 50 lakh, had come out recently. Block Panchayat member and Congress Vallathol Nagar Block President PI Shanavas released the audio recording through his Facebook page. KPCC General Secretary Anil Akkara filed a complaint with the DGP and Vigilance Director, along with the audio recording as evidence. Action was taken following this. The conversation took place on the eve of the presidential election.

The UDF and the LDF won seven seats each in the Wadakkanchery block panchayat. Jaffer, who won the election on Saturday as an independent candidate of the Muslim League, was with the UDF, but he had voted for the LDF presidential candidate at the time of voting.

After Jaffer defected and voted, the LDF won the presidential election in the block panchayat, where the LDF and UDF had seven members each. Jaffer did not appear for the vice-presidential election. With this, the LDF won the vice-presidential post as well. The next day, Jaffer submitted a letter of resignation from his membership.