Leaked Audio Alleges CPM Offered ₹50 Lakh for Defection in Wadakkanchery Block Panchayat Election

THRISSUR: A phone conversation has emerged revealing that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM) allegedly offered ₹50 lakh as a reward to a Muslim League independent member who defected to vote for the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in the Wadakkanchery Block Panchayat President election. The audio recording features E.U. Jafar, who secured victory from the Thali division of Wadakkanchery Block, speaking with A.A. Musthafa, the Congress Varavoor Mandalam President. This crucial phone conversation reportedly took place the day before the presidential election.

According to the leaked audio, the CPM presented Jafar with two options: either assume the position of Block Panchayat President or accept ₹50 lakh in exchange for voting for the CPM’s presidential candidate. Following this offer, the Muslim League worker reportedly informed his party that he had decided to accept the ₹50 lakh. The Congress party has filed a complaint regarding this incident, prompting the Vigilance department to initiate an investigation.

The Wadakkanchery Block Panchayat, where both the LDF and the United Democratic Front (UDF) initially held seven members each, saw a shift in power when the Muslim League independent candidate, E.U. Jafar, defected and cast his vote for the LDF. This move enabled the LDF to secure control of the panchayat administration. Furthermore, Jafar did not attend the subsequent Vice President election, resulting in that position also falling into the hands of the LDF. The very next day after the election, Jafar submitted his resignation letter from his membership.

In the audio recording, Jafar can be heard questioning the benefit he would gain by staying with the UDF, as both parties would have ended up tied with seven votes each. Jafar also explicitly states that if he receives money from the LDF, his political career would effectively come to an end. P.I. Shanawaz, the UDF candidate who lost the presidential election, was responsible for releasing the phone conversation between Jafar and Musthafa. Musthafa has also confirmed that the leaked conversation indeed reflects his discussion with Jafar. However, Jafar, in his defense, explained that his comments were merely humorous remarks made during a phone call.

Wadakkanchery Block Panchayat had been a stronghold for the LDF, which governed it for 15 consecutive years. In 2020, the LDF had secured a dominant position by winning 11 out of 13 seats. This election, however, presented a more balanced scenario with both major fronts having an equal number of votes. K.V. Nafeesa, a CPM District Secretariat member, State Committee member of the Democratic Women’s Association, and former District Secretary, ultimately became the President of Wadakkanchery Block Panchayat, largely due to Jafar’s pivotal vote.