The political landscape in Kozhikode has been rocked by a major controversy involving a local cooperative bank, leading to internal strife within the Congress party and serious allegations of political manipulation. The District Congress Committee (DCC) president, K Praveen Kumar, has formally submitted a detailed report to the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), demanding stringent disciplinary measures against a senior party figure at the heart of the scandal.
Allegations of Betrayal and Fake Voter Entries
At the core of the issue is N K Abdurahman, the chairperson of the Karassery Cooperative Bank and a Congress leader. The DCC president, addressing a press conference, stated that an internal inquiry has conclusively revealed that the bank was being effectively used to serve the interests of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), or CPM. Kumar accused Abdurahman of a grave betrayal of the Congress party.
The most shocking allegation involves the purported addition of over 800 CPM votes overnight. Kumar claimed this was achieved by using fake employee identification documents, a move executed without the knowledge or consent of the bank's board of directors. The local Congress leadership has gone as far as to allege that Abdurahman had virtually sold the bank to CPM workers, compromising its integrity for political gain.
Dissolution of Board and Legal Actions
The controversy reached a critical point on Monday, when the Congress-led director board of the Karassery Cooperative Bank was officially dissolved. This decisive action followed an audit report by the State Department of Cooperation, which uncovered significant irregularities in the bank's loan sanctioning processes.
In response to the escalating situation, the bank's employees have taken the matter to the Mukkam Police, filing a formal complaint regarding the alleged creation of fake voter entries. Simultaneously, legal recourse has been sought in the higher judiciary. Nine directors of the bank have initiated a no-confidence motion related to the controversy. Furthermore, the party has approached the High Court to challenge the imposition of administrator rule in the bank, expressing hope for a favourable verdict.
Political Repercussions and Expected Action
The KPCC, having received the comprehensive report from the Kozhikode DCC, is now expected to take swift action against N K Abdurahman. The report was submitted in direct response to the state committee's request for a detailed account of the events at the cooperative bank. This internal crisis highlights the intense political rivalry in Kerala's cooperative sector, often considered a stronghold of various political parties.
The unfolding scandal at the Karassery Cooperative Bank underscores the challenges of governance and political interference in financial institutions. With a police investigation underway, a High Court petition pending, and internal party disciplinary action imminent, the coming days are likely to see significant developments in this case that has gripped Kozhikode's political and financial circles.
