Allegations of a cash-for-vote scheme involving BJP leader Sobha Surendran intensified on Saturday, after a senior party functionary levelled charges of intimidation, factionalism and financial irregularities.

Bindu Vinayakumar, BJP’s Alappuzha North district vice-president, said Surendran phoned her and accused her of orchestrating the Palakkad controversy. Calling the charge “false”, Bindu alleged that Surendran used abusive language and threatened to expel her from the party.

Audio clip, threats and police complaint

An audio clip circulating in the media is claimed to feature Surendran threatening Bindu and linking her to the case by suggesting the woman at the centre of the incident had travelled from Alappuzha. The recording remains unverified.

Bindu alleged that Surendran accused her of sending individuals with money to Palakkad and issued threats against her and her family. She said she has lodged a complaint with the Alappuzha Superintendent of Police.

She also maintained she had no role in any alleged money transaction in Palakkad. According to Bindu, she was in Thiruvananthapuram with state party chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar during the final phase of the election.

Sindu reference and associated claims

Bindu made specific claims about the woman referred to as Sindu, who is alleged to have arrived in Palakkad with money. She said Sindu is “not an ordinary housewife” and alleged that she had earlier stopped actor Ramesh Pisharody during campaigning in Palakkad.

She further claimed that Sindu has been a close associate of Surendran since the Sabarimala agitation period and has worked as her aide or personal assistant.

Internal rift and origins of controversy

Bindu alleged that Surendran, along with two other leaders, functions as part of a faction that sidelines other party workers. She claimed Surendran was attempting to build her own group in Alappuzha by ignoring women workers and Yuva Morcha leaders.

She said there had been prior complaints about fund collection in the district without informing the district president, adding that she had raised these issues with Rajeev Chandrasekhar and Union minister Nitin Gadkari.

Bindu also questioned Surendran’s assets, stating that it should be examined how her wealth had risen to nearly Rs 2 crore from previously declared modest income.

She said she had earlier remained patient within party discipline but chose to respond after being personally insulted, adding that she had withdrawn a Facebook post against Surendran on the advice of senior leaders during the election period.

The dispute stems from Congress allegations on April 8 that BJP workers distributed cash to voters in Kannadi panchayat ahead of polling, supported by video footage rejected by Surendran. Election authorities have conducted an inquiry, and a report is under review to determine if electoral laws were breached. The woman seen in the video has denied receiving money.