Pramod Kottooli, family and colleagues stage dharna
Kozhikode: The Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) has expelled Pramod Kottooli, a prominent local leader in Kozhikode, from the party. Kottooli, a member of the Kozhikode Town Area Committee, has also been stripped of his primary membership and is expected to be removed from all elected positions. This action follows allegations that Kottooli was involved in a bribery scheme concerning the Kerala Public Service Commission (KPSC) membership.
Last week, accusations surfaced claiming that Kottooli had struck a deal with an aspirant for a KPSC membership, demanding Rs 60 lakhs in exchange for the position. Reports indicate that Kottooli accepted Rs 22 lakhs as an advance. The alleged scheme came to light following a secret inquiry conducted by the state party leadership.
Kottooli is said to have assured the aspirant that he could secure the KPSC membership with the assistance of Mohammed Rias, the state Public Works Department (PWD) minister and son-in-law of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. However, the party did not consider the aspirant’s name for the position, leading Kottooli to promise a coveted role in the Ayush Department instead. When this also failed to materialize, the aspirant exposed the bribery attempt.
Media reports suggest that the CPM has received substantial evidence, including voice messages, detailing the illicit deal. If the aggrieved aspirant takes the matter to the police, the party could face further complications. Speculation persists about whether Kottooli acted alone for financial gain or had backing from senior party members. It remains unclear if the party’s internal investigation has confirmed either scenario.
This scandal adds to the growing troubles for the CPM, which is already grappling with multiple crises. The party is under scrutiny for its involvement in the Rs 343 crore Karuvannur Cooperative Bank scam, delays in disbursing welfare pensions, and failures in the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) salary and pension payments. Additional issues include the deteriorating state of roads, poor performance of the Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation and Public Distribution System, high electricity charges, and declining conditions in the health sector. Allegations against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his daughter further exacerbate the party’s woes.
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In response to the latest scandal, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has announced plans to file complaints with the State Police Chief (SPC) and the Governor.
Pramod Kottooli, the recently expelled CPM leader, has taken a defiant stand against his party by staging a dharna on July 13 in front of the house of Sreejith, the complainant in the bribery case. Accompanied by his mother Vishalakshi and son Vishal, as well as several colleagues, Pramod’s protest has sent shockwaves through the CPM leadership. This unprecedented move marks the first time an expelled leader has publicly challenged the party in such a manner.
Pramod is demanding clarity from the CPM regarding the bribery allegations, questioning who paid the money, to whom, and when. He insists on seeing the documents that purportedly evidence the exchange of lakhs of rupees. This demand for transparency is likely to create further headaches for the party in the coming days.
Interestingly, the CPM district secretary’s press release concerning Pramod’s disciplinary action did not mention the PSC scam, instead citing “violation of party discipline and defamation of the party” as the reasons for his expulsion. Reports suggest that Pramod has the backing of some senior leaders, which might explain why the district leadership denies the PSC scam allegations. Allegations of senior leaders’ involvement have led to suspicions that the leadership attempted to cover up the scandal, but internal conflicts within the party have brought it into the media spotlight.
The division within the Kozhikode CPM reportedly began after the humiliating electoral defeat of senior CPM leader Elamaram Kareem in the Kozhikode Lok Sabha constituency during the recent general elections. Some leaders believe that disciplinary action against Pramod will exacerbate the party’s troubles. Pramod has announced his intention to pursue the matter legally, which could further destabilize the party.
BJP state president K Surendran has criticised the CPM in connection with this scandal. He questioned why no case has been registered and pointed out that Pramod is a confidant of CPM leaders and ministers. At a press conference in Kozhikode, Surendran demanded transparency regarding the Rs 22 lakhs that allegedly changed hands, questioning whether the money was handled via cheque or cash and highlighting the serious legal implications.
Surendran also expressed outrage over the impact of the scam on youths who work hard to prepare for the PSC examinations. He noted that many PSC rank lists are pending appointments amidst an “unemployment explosion” in Kerala, where unemployment rates are the highest in the country. He accused the CPM of attempting to control the PSC to favor party members.
Referring to a recent corruption scandal involving the recruitment of police constables, Surendran highlighted numerous anomalies in appointments. He pointed out the disparity between the number of PSC members in Kerala (21) compared to Uttar Pradesh (7), despite the latter having a population nine times larger.
Surendran emphasised the seriousness of the PSC scam, noting that it was committed by an Area Committee member of the CPM and a long-time associate of minister Mohammed Rias. He accused them of previous wrongdoings, including black money operations and real estate scams. Pramod himself has suggested that his life might be in danger if he exposes further issues. Surendran vowed that the BJP would submit complaints to the State Police Chief and the State Governor.
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