With just 48 hours remaining before voting begins, a farmer was discovered hanging inside the CPI local committee office at Thalayazham in Vaikom, a constituency held by the party. The deceased, Chellappan Pulikkasheri, had previously accused CPI leaders of causing harm to his livelihood and harassing him. He had criticized the party’s policies and certain leaders through social media and videos.
Chellappan alleged that influential party members destroyed his crops and other sources of income, despite his efforts. He also claimed that he was denied permission to meet the Agriculture Minister and faced threats of retaliation post-elections. Friends and relatives mentioned that Chellappan was under severe mental distress, feeling betrayed by leaders he once trusted.
The distress Chellappan experienced likely led him to take his life inside the party office, intensifying the political ramifications of the incident. The event sparked widespread outrage, prompting a large gathering outside the CPI office. Locals and relatives, angered by the situation, prevented the body’s removal until the Revenue Divisional Officer arrived.
The death has put both the CPI and the ruling LDF government in a difficult position, particularly given Vaikom’s political importance as a stronghold. Opposition parties have capitalized on the incident, criticizing the party leadership’s treatment of grassroots workers and farmers.
