Thiruvananthapuram: Members of the Federation of Kerala Hotel Association have accused the organisation of engaging in 'daylight robbery' under the guise of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's name. In an appeal submitted to the CM, exasperated members of the organisation have accused their leadership of conducting 'numerous' fundraising drives citing various reasons.

The petition was submitted on April 12; however, the responses have been sluggish.

In the complaint, it is alleged that money was collected during the recent Legislative and Lok Sabha elections. Additionally, each member was reportedly charged Rs 1 lakh to show support for the party, with an extra Rs 1 lakh collected for building construction purposes. Apparently, further funds were demanded from bar owners during the Parliamentary elections.

A leaked voice message from the organisation's vice president, demanding Rs 2.5 lakhs from each member after the May 23 meeting, has gone viral. The message indicated that such funds were necessary to secure a favourable stance in the new liquor policy.

Upon receiving the petition, the CM's office forwarded the complaint to the office of the Excise Commissioner. However, statements from bar owners related to the complaint were only recorded in the second week of June.

The delay in taking action has exacerbated the situation, creating further ambiguity.