Kerala Assembly elections: Wayanad funds row ‘benefited’ UDF, says KPCC chief Sunny Joseph

Sunny Joseph claims the Wayanad funds controversy has benefited UDF, urging focus on public fund misuse and election confidence.

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunny Joseph on Friday said the controversy surrounding the Wayanad funds had worked in favour of the United Democratic Front (UDF), while allegations related to “Sabarimala loot” had also gained wider public attention.

Responding to queries from mediapersons, Mr. Joseph reacted sharply when asked about house construction in Wayanad, asserting the Congress would soon complete the houses and “invite journalists for the housewarming ceremonies.”

He urged critics not to create “unnecessary issues”, stating that “no one needed to contribute from their salaries or worry” about the party’s fund collection. Instead, he said, concerns should be directed at alleged “misuse of public treasury funds, the gold held by the Travancore Devaswom Board and collection made in the name of Ayyappa Sangamam.”

Projecting confidence ahead of the election results, Mr. Joseph said neither he nor the Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan would “go into political exile”, describing such remarks as a reflection of their confidence in victory.

He claimed that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan would become the Leader of the Opposition after the poll results.

Alleging that the Communist Party of India [CPI(M)] was resorting to violence out of fear of defeat, Mr. Joseph said UDF workers were facing widerspread attacks. He cited an incident at Mayyil where the house of a Congress worker was allegedly attacked. He accused the police of diluting charges and granting bail, alleging inaction on their part.