Audio of Dead BJP Leader Emerges, Intensifying Pressure on BJP–RSS Leadership

Thiruvananthapuram: A phone message recorded by Anand K. Thampi — the BJP worker from Thrikkannapuram in Thiruvananthapuram who died by suicide after allegedly being sidelined in favour of candidates linked to the sand mafia — has now come out. In the audio, Anand is heard saying that he had given his money, time, and health to the organisation, and that he could not simply “put this insult back into his pocket and go home” after the treatment he received. The release of the audio has intensified pressure on the BJP–RSS leadership.

“I have thought about everything. Pressure is coming from all sides. I have decided to contest. After being insulted this much, I cannot simply leave them unchallenged. I am someone who fights till the end. No matter who stands on the other side, I will fight. That is my identity and attitude. All these years I have worked for the organisation, ready to do anything for it. I gave my money, time, and health to the organisation. When they treat me like this, I cannot just walk away silently,” Anand says in the audio message sent to a friend.

However, earlier today, BJP state vice president B. Gopalakrishnan had responded by belittling Anand’s suicide. He claimed the incident was personal and caused by mental distress. Mocking the situation, he said that if people were to die by suicide for not getting a party ticket, he himself would have had to die at least 12 times. The video of Gopalakrishnan making the remarks — and others around him laughing — has been widely circulated.

In his suicide note, Anand wrote that BJP and RSS workers should not be allowed to see his body under any circumstance, and that his biggest mistake in life was working for them.

The note makes it clear that Anand, decided to take his own life because he was sidelined while those with alleged links to the sand mafia were chosen as candidates instead.

“No matter where my body is buried, it doesn’t matter, but I humbly request that BJP workers and RSS workers should not be allowed to see it. The biggest mistake in my life was that I lived as an RSS worker. Until the very moment before my death, I was only an RSS worker. That is what pushed me into this situation. I pray to God that no one else should ever face such a fate,” the note concludes, placing serious questions before the BJP–RSS leadership.

After feeling betrayed by the party he had worked with for years, Anand attempted suicide and was admitted to a private hospital. He died while undergoing treatment.

According to the note, the BJP area president of Thrikkannapuram, Udayakumar (known as Aalappuram Kuttan), constituency committee member Krishnakumar, and RSS Nagar Karyavah Rajesh were linked to the sand mafia. Anand wrote that these individuals needed someone in power to support their illegal activities, and that this was why Vinod Kumar (Ani), who he alleged was also linked to the sand mafia, was chosen as the BJP’s candidate.

The Vanchinad Housing Construction Cooperative Society — run by RSS and BJP leaders — is also accused in Anand K. Thampi’s note. He writes that the society owes him 22 lakh rupees. If that amount were repaid, he could settle his bank loans, he wrote, adding that this money should somehow be recovered.