BJP calls bribery claims 'fabricated campaign' by Congress in Palakkad

BJP Palakkad President Prasanth Sivan refuted allegations of offering money to a Congress candidate, calling them a 'fabricated campaign' by the Congress to hide its internal issues ahead of the local body polls.

BJP Calls Bribery Allegations 'Fabricated Campaigns'

Following allegations that the BJP offered money to the Congress candidate in Palakkad to withdraw nomination in the local body polls, BJP Palakkad District President Prasanth Sivan on Monday said such "fabricated campaigns" were orchestrated by the Congress to divert attention from its internal issues.

Congress Facing Internal Issues, Says BJP

"These are nothing but fabricated campaigns deliberately created by the Congress to hide their own internal issues. Palakkad Municipality has become a major headache for the Congress. UDF leaders themselves are contesting against Congress candidates. Even the wife of a sitting Palakkad municipal councillor and several others are contesting against official Congress nominees. A Congress District Committee member is also in the fray against a Congress candidate," Sivan told media persons here

The BJP leader emphasised that the allegations were an attempt by Congress to divert attention from its internal factionalism ahead of the Palakkad local body elections.

BJP Cites Stronghold in Ward 50 as Defense

Highlighting the BJP's strong position on the issues, Sivan said, "Regarding the candidate in Ward 50, the BJP has absolutely no need to ask anyone to withdraw. In the last elections, Congress and CPM together secured only around 120 votes in that ward, while the BJP received over 1,100 votes. In such a situation, the BJP has no reason to influence or pressure Congress or CPM candidates to withdraw."

Kerala Local Body Polls Schedule

Kerala will go to polls in two phases to elect representatives to municipal corporations, municipalities, gram panchayats, block panchayats and district panchayats. Voters in seven southern and central districts (Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Ernakulam) will cast their ballots on December 9.

The remaining seven districts (Thrissur, Palakkad, Kozhikode, Malappuram, Wayanad, Kannur and Kasaragod) will vote on December 11.

Counting of votes is scheduled for December 13.

The Model Code of Conduct is currently in effect across the state. (ANI)

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