Visuals of BJP offering money to voters in Palakkad surface; Shobha Surendran spotted threatening

PALAKKAD: The Congress has come forward alleging that the BJP gave money to induce voters in the Palakkad constituency. The money was allegedly given in the Kannadi area of Palakkad. The Congress has released the visuals of it. The incident happened at Tharuvakurissi in Kannadi panchayat.

The video that emerged shows a woman going to a house in Kannadi area, giving money to an aged woman and then getting into the car of NDA candidate Shobha Surendran in Palakkad. When Congress workers followed Shobha's car and asked about this, she reacted angrily and tried to snatch the phone. The Congress alleged that Rs 5,000 was given. Shobha came with two other women. It is alleged that the woman, who was with the candidate gave money after Shobha left in the car.

The aged woman’s house was located right next to a bereaved household where a death had occurred. Shobha Surendran and her party workers visited the mourning house. Afterwards, they also went to the neighboring house and spoke with the people there for a while. It is alleged that, during this time, a woman handed money to the aged woman. When asked about it, the aged woman reportedly opened her hand and showed the money, according to Congress workers. It is also reported that former Palakkad municipal chairperson Prameela Saseedharan was among those accompanying Shobha Surendran.

Congress activists said they would file a complaint with the election commission citing violation of the election code of conduct. The election commission has sought a report from the district collector on the incident.