Idukki (Kerala): A fresh political confrontation erupted in Kerala on Monday after the Congress accused the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) of deploying government infrastructure and taxpayer-funded resources to bolster its election outreach.

Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan levelled the charges while speaking to journalists in Adimali, alleging that administrative mechanisms meant strictly for governance were being repurposed for political communication.

At the centre of the controversy is the SPARK portal, the state’s digital platform used to manage salary processing and service records of government employees.

Satheesan claimed that information from the portal had been accessed without authorisation and questioned how details allegedly reached the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) social media channels.

Citing judicial precedents, Satheesan argued that personal data is protected by law and cannot be circulated or utilised without explicit consent. He demanded the registration of a case and called for a comprehensive investigation into what he described as a serious breach.

“Multiple High Court rulings have underscored safeguards against unlawful data use. The government must clarify how employee information was obtained and whether protocols were violated,” he said, adding that Congress would explore legal remedies against those found responsible.

The Opposition leader also revisited earlier disputes surrounding a proposed “Navakerala survey”. According to Satheesan, the initiative involved Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) activists conducting outreach activities allegedly financed through public funds.

He contended that the sequence of events, including the issuance of a government order sanctioning funds after a party communication, raised concerns about the blending of state expenditure with party objectives.

Satheesan claimed that judicial intervention had halted the survey, with the court observing that public money could not be channelled into activities perceived as aiding electioneering. He further noted that the state government has since moved the Supreme Court in relation to the matter.

Expanding the scope of the allegations, Satheesan asserted that officials from certain departments were being directed to highlight the government’s performance in the run-up to elections. He specifically alleged that forest personnel had been tasked with visiting tribal settlements to explain welfare schemes and policy achievements.

Describing such moves as inappropriate, Satheesan argued that civil servants and field officers are obligated to maintain neutrality, particularly during politically sensitive periods.

He warned that any attempt to transform government departments, including the Public Relations Department (PRD), into instruments of electoral promotion would be contested vigorously.

“The line separating governance from political campaigning must not be crossed. Misuse of institutional machinery undermines democratic fairness,” Satheesan said.

The Kerala government has not immediately responded to the latest accusations. The developments add to a series of ongoing exchanges between the ruling front and the Opposition as the state heads deeper into an election cycle marked by heightened rhetoric and scrutiny.