Thiruvananthapuram, July 15 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan said on Wednesday that the state government has not received any formal complaint regarding the alleged Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) election fund misappropriation, indicating that any further action would depend on whether an official complaint is filed.
Responding to a query during the post Cabinet media briefing, the Chief Minister said, “As of now, neither the state government nor any of its departments has received a complaint regarding the matter. If such a complaint is received, it will be examined and appropriate action will be taken.”
Chief Minister Satheesan’s remarks come amid a growing political storm over allegations of financial irregularities in the Kerala BJP’s election campaign expenditure.
The controversy has intensified following the emergence of a series of purported audio recordings that allegedly point to commissions being paid to party functionaries in connection with the procurement of campaign materials.
The latest audio clip, which surfaced this week, purportedly features a company representative claiming that Rs 31 lakh was paid to a BJP leader even before the party cleared the full payment for flags and banners.
The representative also alleges that despite repeated attempts to recover the remaining Rs 4.65 lakh due under the agreement, there has been no response from those concerned.
The controversy follows earlier allegations that campaign flags and banners supplied free of cost by the BJP’s Central leadership were diverted and sold through local channels, while contracts for campaign materials were allegedly awarded to favoured private firms at inflated rates in exchange for commissions.
Separate allegations have also been raised over the bulk booking of rooms at a luxury hotel in Thiruvananthapuram during the election campaign using party funds.
The allegations have triggered sharp criticism from within sections of the Kerala BJP, with dissident leaders accusing the state leadership of attempting to suppress the issue despite claims of widespread financial irregularities across several districts.
Meanwhile, the state BJP leadership is expected to review the allegations shortly.
–IANS
sg/khz
