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Addressing a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, the BJP leader criticised the ongoing circulation of Sthree Suraksha pension forms, alleging that it was part of a deliberate effort to sway voters.
He also claimed that the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] was convening ward-level meetings of social welfare pension beneficiaries ahead of the polls.
“Welfare pensions are not acts of generosity from the Chief Minister or the CPI(M). They are the rightful entitlement of poor beneficiaries. The government had delayed pension payments for years, maligned pensioners who protested, and is now using welfare schemes for electoral gains,” he alleged.
Mr. Suresh said that using official machinery to “coerce and lure voters” amounted to “manipulation” of the election process, and urged the State Election Commission to take immediate action.
Rebel candidates
He also alleged that both the CPI(M) and the Congress were grappling with internal turmoil across the State, with several rebel candidates contesting the polls. In contrast, the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) functioned as a disciplined alliance with only a few isolated issues, which the party had already resolved, he claimed.
He was critical of the perceived reluctance of the Congress leadership to act against Palakkad MLA Rahul Mamkootathil who has been embroiled in a sexual misconduct scandal. He also questioned why the State government had not initiated a suo motu case, despite the purported “evidence”, including details of phone calls and chat messages circulated in the public domain.
Published – November 25, 2025 02:12 pm IST
