Thrissur, 11 May (H.S.): A political controversy has erupted in Kerala after a CPI(M) local leader was allegedly caught on CCTV installing a flex banner supporting senior Congress leader K.C. Venugopal amid ongoing discussions over the Congress party’s chief ministerial candidate in the state.

The incident occurred at Vadanappally in Thrissur district, where a flex banner carrying the slogan “Let KC Lead” was erected in front of the Vadanappally Grama Panchayat office under the name of “Save Congress”. CCTV visuals from the area reportedly showed CPI(M) local committee member Aravassery Mohammed arriving with the banner and installing it by the roadside late at night.

According to local sources, the flex board featuring the photograph of K.C. Venugopal was put up around 11 p.m. on Sunday. Aravassery Mohammed, who is also said to be the husband of a Pattilangadi block member and a CPI(M) local committee leader in Vadanappally, was allegedly seen placing the banner before leaving the spot.

The controversy intensified after Mohammed himself reportedly shared photographs of the flex banner on Facebook the following morning. However, the matter took a dramatic turn when CCTV footage from nearby establishments surfaced, allegedly confirming his involvement in erecting the banner.

The development has triggered sharp political reactions in the district. The UDF mandalam committee lodged a formal complaint with the police, accusing the CPI(M) of orchestrating a political conspiracy to create confusion and embarrassment within the Congress party during sensitive leadership discussions.

UDF workers also staged a protest demonstration in the area, demanding action against those responsible for the incident. Congress leaders alleged that the CPI(M) was attempting to interfere in the internal affairs of the party by artificially fuelling factional narratives surrounding the leadership issue.

Over the past few days, several flex banners supporting both K.C. Venugopal and Congress leader V.D. Satheesan had appeared across various parts of Thrissur district. Demonstrations backing Satheesan were also held in Thrissur city, Kodungallur, Perumbilavu, and Irinjalakuda.

The latest revelation, however, has added a fresh political dimension to the ongoing debate, with opposition leaders accusing the CPI(M) of secretly encouraging divisions within the Congress camp ahead of crucial political decisions in Kerala.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman