Priyanka Gandhi, a Member of Parliament representing Wayanad, Kerala, is currently in her constituency. However, her visit has been overshadowed by the alleged suicides of two Congress party workers, putting the party on the defensive. According to reports, one party worker died by suicide last year, and another recently took their own life, leading to scrutiny of the Congress. The CPM has criticized the Congress, citing internal problems within the Wayanad unit.
Last year, N.M. Vijayan, the former District Congress Committee (DCC) treasurer, and his son died by suicide after consuming poison. More recently, Jose Nelledam, a senior Congress leader and member of the Mullankolli panchayat, also died by suicide. Following the alleged suicide of a local party worker in Mullankolli, Wayanad, Padmaja, Vijayan’s daughter-in-law, attempted suicide by cutting her wrist. Police reported that Padmaja was hospitalized and is now in stable condition.
Vijayan and his son reportedly took their lives due to debt. Media reports indicate Padmaja stated that the party promised financial assistance after Vijayan’s death but had not fulfilled the promise. Vijayan (78) and his son (38) allegedly took their lives after incurring significant debt, claiming they had taken loans for party activities and were unable to repay them. After the incident, the Congress assured it would take responsibility and settle the family’s debt. However, Padmaja stated that the family still owed over two crore rupees, with less than 20 lakh rupees paid. She stated that Vijayan took the loan for the party and not personal needs, but the party has reneged on its promise to cover the liabilities. The family plans to protest in front of the DCC office and submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister. Senior Congress leader and MP Rajmohan Unnithan stated that the investigation into Vijayan’s death is ongoing, and funds will be disbursed after the investigation is complete.
The recent suicide of Jose Nelledam, a senior Congress leader and Mullankolli panchayat member, has further embarrassed the party. Nelledam was found dead in a pond near his home, having allegedly consumed poison and cut his wrist. In a video released after his death, Nelledam accused that he was targeted under false charges related to the arrest of fellow leader Kanattumalayil Dhyanvadan. Dhyanvadan was arrested after alcohol and explosives were found at his home, but was released 13 days later when it was found that the items were planted by another party worker. Nelledam admitted that he informed the police but claimed that he was wrongly accused. Wayanad DCC president N.D. Appachan stated that the police recovered a suicide note from Nelledam’s home and its contents should be made public. He expressed suspicion of impropriety and suggested political motives behind the police action. He added that the DCC is in contact with Nelledam’s family, offering support, and denied any internal conflicts within the party.
Meanwhile, the CPM has criticized the Congress regarding internal problems in Wayanad. Minister V. Sivankutty stated that the Congress has become a mafia in Kerala. He alleged that Congress now exhibits activities like murders, abetting suicide, open violence, and abortions. He also referenced the attempted suicide of the late former DCC treasurer N.M. Vijayan’s daughter-in-law in Wayanad. He added that the internal problems of the Congress have become a social problem, and those who criticize are targeted with cyberattacks, with several Congress leaders also falling victim.