UDF Candidate C V Santhakumar Breaks Down in Tears Over Alleged Defamatory Campaign
In a dramatic turn of events during the election campaign in Adoor, UDF candidate C V Santhakumar broke down in front of the media on Wednesday, alleging that the LDF was distributing defamatory leaflets against him. The emotional outburst came after he filed a formal complaint at the RDO office, where he accused the LDF of attempting to ruin his reputation through fake notices.
Allegations of Fake Murder Case Linkage
Santhakumar claimed the leaflets falsely suggested he was a suspect in a 2008 murder case in Konni. He vehemently denied any involvement, stating he has no such case against him currently. "Why am I being targeted?" he asked tearfully, challenging that he would withdraw his candidacy if any criminal cases against him were proven.
He elaborated that he was not present during the 2008 incident and his name was unjustly included. In 2018, the court acquitted him due to lack of evidence and because he was not a party to the case. Sanathakumar emphasized his clean record, mentioning he has been elected as a public representative three times since then. He stressed that elections should be democratic, with people deciding winners and losers fairly.
Comparisons to Past Violence and Police Confirmation
In a serious allegation, Santhakumar said there was an attempt to eliminate him like the late Congress leader M G Kannan. However, according to a police report, there is currently no case against him. Police confirmed that the court had acquitted him in the 2008 case, supporting his claims of innocence.
Night Protest and District Collector's Intervention
The notice issue escalated on Tuesday night when Santhakumar staged a sit-in protest in front of the RDO office. He claimed no action was taken despite complaints to the Adoor SHO and RDO. At 11:30 PM, district collector S Prem Krishnan met with him and UDF leaders, assuring action against those responsible for the illegal distribution of notices and the press that printed them. This assurance led to the UDF ending their protest.
Continued Distribution and Counter-Protests
However, the controversy continued on Wednesday morning when UDF workers reported that notices were still being distributed. They detained two persons distributing notices in Parakode and handed them over to police. In response, LDF leaders, led by CPI district secretary Chittayam Gopakumar, staged a sit-in protest in front of Adoor police station. They alleged their workers were unjustly detained while distributing election slips for LDF's Adoor candidate Priji Kannan.
Eventually, police registered a case against those distributing the notices and released them, ending the LDF protest. UDF further alleged that defamatory notices were distributed in multiple areas including:
- Kadambanad
- Mannady
- Peringanad
- Kodumon
The incident highlights the intense political atmosphere in Adoor, with both parties engaging in protests and counter-protests over campaign materials. Santhakumar's emotional breakdown underscores the personal toll such allegations can take on candidates, even when police confirm their innocence. The district collector's intervention shows the administration's role in maintaining election integrity, though the continued distribution suggests challenges in enforcement.
