Tractor owner pays ₹5,000 fine for former Kerala BJP chief Surendran's unlicensed ride

Palakkad: The Palakkad district traffic enforcement has fined a tractor owner ₹5,000 after it emerged that the then BJP state president, K Surendran, drove the vehicle without a valid licence during the Palakkad by-election campaign.

The fine was imposed following a complaint by former SFI Ernakulam District Secretary, Fasal Mohammed, to the then Palakkad SP, R Anand, in November 2024. Authorities tracked down the tractor and penalised its owner, citing that Surendran did not hold a licence when he drove the vehicle.

The incident occurred when Surendran led a tractor rally as part of BJP candidate C Krishnakumar’s election campaign. Footage of Surendran driving the tractor sparked legal action, with critics stressing that traffic laws should apply equally, regardless of political stature.

Following the investigation, the Palakkad Assistant Superintendent of Police confirmed the violation. Meanwhile, Fasal Mohammed has expressed dissatisfaction with the penalty and is demanding stricter action.