Palakkad: A blue trolley bag seen in CCTV footage of a local hotel has become the centre of discussion at the politically charged Palakkad, which will go to the polls on November 20. While the Left Democratic Front (LDF) claims the suitcase held black money allegedly funnelled by the United Democratic Front (UDF) to influence the vote, the Congress leaders mocked the Left’s suspicions, calling them far-fetched.
The Congress has maintained that the bag, containing a change of clothes, belonged to Rahul Mamkootathil and that the candidate carried it to Kozhikode. However, LDF candidate P Sarin questioned why the UDF candidate needed a trolley bag of clothes for such a short visit. “Carrying extra clothes was part of a precautionary measure. Do I really need to justify my luggage to CPM leaders?” Mamkootathil retorted in an interview with Manorama News.
The UDF candidate also agreed to CPM State Secretary MV Govindan's demand to undergo a lie-detector test to settle the matter, adding, “I also invite AA Rahim and MB Rajesh to do the same.”
Meanwhile, BJP State President K Surendran, suggested that the suspected black money wasn’t seized because of an alleged police tip-off, which he claims alerted those involved.
The raid and campaign tactics
The controversy erupted early Wednesday after police conducted a late-night search at the hotel, acting on suspicions that funds might be used to sway the by-election in Palakkad. Though no money was found, the incident has fuelled political fire on both sides. The UDF plans to turn the raid into a campaign advantage, instructing Mamkootathil to connect with voters directly and frame the raid as an organised political attack by the CPM. On the other hand, the CPM has vowed to tread carefully, leveraging the incident to highlight the UDF's alleged impropriety.
Now that police have determined no further investigation is needed, the UDF candidate will focus less on the controversy during his campaign. Instead, he and his team will prioritise meeting voters, discussing the party’s symbol, and addressing their local concerns. Party leaders will manage political rebuttals and clarify their stance on issues like the police’s decision to end further actions.
Meanwhile, CPM candidate P Sarin emphasised to Manorama News that the full story of the hotel raid and “trolley bag controversy” would eventually come out. He also called on the UDF to focus on the real issues, urging them to discuss the development they have achieved for the constituency over the past 13 years. Sarin’s comments came at a protest event organized by DYFI in Palakkad city.