Police Case Against Kerala BJP Chief For Allegedly Bribing Election Rival

K Sundara and K Surendran were among candidates vying for the Manjeswaram seat in the northern Kerala that was won by Indian Union Muslim League's AKM Ashraf

An FIR (first information report) has been filed against the BJP's Kerala chief for allegedly bribing a rival candidate into withdrawing his nomination ahead of the April 6 Assembly election. K Sundara - who filed papers as a BSP candidate - has alleged he was given Rs 2.5 lakh by the BJP to withdraw from the race for the Manjeswaram constituency. A local court responded to a plea by CPM leader VV Ramesan, and directed the police to file a case pertaining to 'bribery with intent to sabotage elections'. A police official investigating the case said K Sundara's statement had been recorded and further investigations are underway to see how the money exchanged hands and who gave it.