Police Widen Probe Against Palakkad BJP Candidate Shobha Surendran Over Cash-for-Vote Allegations

Palakkad: Police have expanded their investigation into serious allegations of vote-buying against BJP candidate Shobha Surendran and party workers ahead of polling, with Palakkad South police leading a comprehensive inquiry into the case.

Authorities are in the process of collecting CCTV footage from residences visited by Shobha Surendran on the silent campaign day. The complaint alleges that BJP workers, led by the candidate, distributed cash to voters in the 16th ward of Kannadi panchayat — footage of which had earlier surfaced and circulated widely, putting the BJP on the defensive.

The visuals are to be sent for forensic examination, while police have also gathered additional CCTV footage from the surrounding area. Investigators will verify whether the candidate visited other households during the silent campaign day and whether any cash transactions took place at those locations as well.

BJP workers and witnesses appearing in the footage are expected to be questioned in the coming days. The LDF had earlier filed complaints with both the Election Commission and police, alleging that the BJP had flooded the constituency with money in a bid to subvert the electoral process.

Strong protests have erupted across the constituency against what opponents are calling a brazen attempt to undermine democratic processes. Sources indicate that more evidence is likely to emerge in the days ahead, deepening the trouble for the BJP in what is already a closely watched contest.