Kochi, 02 January(HS): A block panchayat president’s price in the most literate State Kerala is equivalent to Rs 50 lakh/- This was disclosed by Congress leaders of Wadakkancheri in Thrissur district, who elected a CPI(M) member as panchayat president by purchasing a Muslim League member by paying him Rs 50 lakh.

E U Jaffar, a Muslim League member, cross voted during the election of the panchayat president in Wadakkancherry which ensured the victory of the CPI(M) candidate. The Congress-led UDF and the CPI(M)-led LDF have seven members each in the Panchayat council, and the vote cast by Jaffar turned out to be crucial.

Jaffar cast his vote in favour of the CPI(M)’s Nabeesa who was elected by just one vote. After the announcement of the result, Jaffar absconded from the scene, not before speaking to a local Congress leader over the phone.

“There were two options in front of me. Either accept the post of panchayat president or vote for the CPI(M) nominee in place of Rs 50 lakh given by them. I chose the easy way as the amount is sufficient for me to set a new life for me and my family,” said Jaffar in a telephonic conversation with Mustaffa of the Congress.

Mustaffa had recorded the conversation, and it has been found that the voice matched with that of Jaffar. In yet another telephonic conversation, the local committee member of the CPI(M) was heard assuring Jaffar of all help in any emergency. The Vigilance Branch of the Kerala Police have initiated a probe into the incident.

The state boss of the CPI(M), M V Govindan, while speaking to reporters on Friday, said that his party was not involved in the deal and they were against the Aayaram Gayaram politics.

Hindusthan Samachar / Manohar Yadavatti