Karshaka Sangham district conference: Rift brews in Thrissur over unspent national conference funds

Thrissur: Discontent is mounting within the Kerala Karshaka Sangham ahead of its Thrissur district conference on Saturday, as a faction within the farmers' organisation prepares to demand answers over unreleased funds from the All India Kisan Sabha national conference held nearly four years ago.

The controversy centers around an estimated surplus of ₹50 lakh from the national event held in Thrissur in December 2022. According to party insiders, the district committee had resolved that the remaining funds would be transferred to finance the construction of a dedicated district headquarters for the Karshaka Sangham.

The organisation currently operates out of offices owned by the CPM, as building work remains stalled due to the non-receipt of the money.

Substantial funds were collected during the 2022 campaign on the understanding that proceeds would cover both event costs and the new building project. This included mandatory collections from co-operative banks for advertising in a commemorative souvenir volume—a practice that subsequently drew regulatory and legal scrutiny.

Following complaints regarding forced contributions, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which investigated the Karuvannur bank money laundering case, questioned both the co-operative registrar and the leader who spearheaded the fundraising drive. The agency also conducted raids on the two co-operative banks that provided the largest financial contributions.

Official denies knowledge of agreement

Responding to the allegations, Karshaka Sangham District Secretary A.S. Kutty stated that he was unaware of any formal decision to hand over surplus conference funds to the district committee for building construction.

"Any remaining money will be held securely in the Kisan Sabha account," Kutty remarked.

Also read: Nehru Trophy Boat Race: Prize money delay leaves clubs stranded

Conference itinerary set for Chelakkara

The district conference will take place on September 5 and 6 at the M.S.N. Auditorium in Chelakkara, leaders confirmed during a press conference. A total of 404 delegates representing 732,834 members across 17 areas of the district are expected to attend.

On September 4 at 2:00 pm, State Joint Secretary and MLA A.C. Moideen will flag off the banner procession from the K.P. Aravindakshan Memorial in Choondal. District Secretary A.S. Kutty will inaugurate the flagpole procession from the C.V. Damodaran Martyr Memorial in Elanad at 3 pm.

Both processions will converge at the Chelakkara bus stand by 6:00 pm on September 4, where MLA U.R. Pradeep will hoist the flag.

On the morning of 5 September at 9:45 am, District President P.R. Varghese will officially raise the flag at the conference venue, followed by an inaugural address by State Secretary Valsan Panoli.

The event will conclude on September 6 with a 7,500-strong rally at 3:00 pm, leading into a public meeting at the Kodiyeri Balakrishnan Nagar venue near the Chelakkara bus stand, to be inaugurated by CPM Central Committee member K.N. Balagopal.

District Secretary A.S. Kutty, District President P.R. Varghese, T.A. Ramakrishnan, and P.A. Babu were present at the media briefing.