Dramatic scenes unfold in Kerala as CPM councillor accuses party workers of kidnapping, abusing her

Kochi: In a dramatic turn of events in the Koothattukulam Municipality in Ernakulam district on Saturday, CPM councillor Kala Raju has accused fellow party workers of abducting her during the heated discussion on the no-confidence motion against the LDF governing body. Kala Raju, who had taken a stand in favor of the UDF, was allegedly forcibly taken in the Chairperson’s vehicle, sparking widespread protests and clashes between LDF and UDF workers.

The incident began when 11 UDF councilors, an independent and a CPM councillor appeared before the municipality to discuss the motion.  It was at this moment that tensions escalated. The UDF women councillors reported that they were attacked in the presence of the police.

Kala Raju claimed that she was physically grabbed by her clothes and dragged into a vehicle, despite being a woman, adding to the intensity of the situation.

She explained how she was subjected to physical and verbal abuse during the abduction. “When I told them my leg was stuck in the door of the vehicle, a boy, who was with me, mercilessly said he would cut my leg off. He was smaller than my son,” she recalled. Kala Raju said she was more hurt by the words than by the physical injuries. She also said that when she asked to go to the hospital and see her children, she was given a gas tablet.

Raju confirmed that she was later taken to the CPM area committee office, where she said she was not harassed, but rather, attempts were made to persuade her to reconsider her position. She revealed that she had already informed the party about her concerns four months ago but claimed no action had been taken. “I did not want to cheat the party and move forward,” she said.

Raju also named DYFI leader Arun Ashokan as the one who had taken her to the committee office. She added that she would consider her continued involvement in the party and make a decision in due course.

Meanwhile, the incident has led to a police complaint against the CPM Koothattukulam area secretary, filed by Kala Raju’s children, accusing the party of kidnapping. However, the CPM has denied the allegations, stating that Kala Raju was not abducted. They claimed that the incident occurred as a result of the ongoing tensions during the no-confidence motion, with UDF councillors alleging that they were attacked and that the police failed to intervene.