Family of Former Wayanad DCC Treasurer N M Vijayan to Fast in Protest as Priyanka Gandhi Campaigns for MLA Accused in His Death

Kalpetta: The family of N M Vijayan, the Wayanad DCC treasurer who died by suicide along with his son, has announced they will observe a fast on Tuesday when Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi arrives in Bathery to campaign for MLA I C Balakrishnan — the man Vijayan named in his suicide note as responsible for his death.

Vijayan's daughter-in-law Padmaja told the media that Priyanka had personally visited their home and promised that those responsible would be removed from their positions and that Congress would stand by the family. The family says neither promise has been kept. Instead, Balakrishnan has not only been fielded again as a candidate but Priyanka is now coming to seek votes on his behalf. Padmaja said this amounted to a denial of justice to her father-in-law's memory, adding that Congress is now dismissing the contents of his suicide note as untrue.

Vijayan and his son Jijesh consumed poison on December 25, 2024, and were admitted to hospital in a critical condition. Both died on December 27. In his suicide note, Vijayan explicitly named I C Balakrishnan, then MLA, and N D Appachan, who was Wayanad DCC president at the time, as those responsible for his death. Both Balakrishnan and Appachan were arrested in connection with the suicide case and are currently out on bail.