Palakkad: Things turned sour in the early hours of Wednesday when police raided a hotel where Congress leaders were staying in connection with the election campaign in Palakkad. The raid was reportedly conducted following information that black money transactions were taking place at the hotel.

As news of the raid spread, leaders and workers from CPM and BJP arrived at the scene, escalating the tension. A scuffle broke out between Congress workers and the police in the hotel.

According to reports, the police arrived at midnight after receiving a complaint lodged with the Election Commission, alleging that black money had been brought to the hotel in a car for UDF candidate Rahul Mamkoottathil. CPM and BJP leaders claimed that Rahul Mamkoottathil was present in the hotel when the police arrived, and they accused Congress workers of creating a ruckus to allow Rahul to escape.

The raid began in the room where Bindu Krishna was staying. The police then attempted to enter the room of leader Shanimol Usman, but she stopped them, insisting that only female police officers be allowed to enter. “Although I asked them to show their identity cards, they barged into my room,” Shanimol said.

As tensions escalated, more Congress workers arrived, and the situation grew increasingly chaotic. MPs Shafi Parambil and VK Sreekantan reached the scene and held discussions with the police to defuse the situation. The MPs demanded that raids be conducted in all the rooms where Congress leaders were staying, and that the police issue a statement confirming that no illegal money had been found.

The raid lasted around three hours, concluding at approximately 3:30 a.m. During this time, the situation repeatedly got out of control, leading to scuffles between Congress workers and the police.