Bribe allegation drives CPI(M)-affiliated families into BJP in Keralam’s Pathanamthitta

Around twenty-odd families have quit the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Pathanamthitta district, alleging that leaders of the party’s Pariyaram local committee had demanded bribes from them.The allegations relate to an incident at Varattuchira in Elanthoor, where party leaders allegedly demanded ₹25,000 to facilitate the excavation of earth for house construction.The families, from Elanthoor Pariyaram and Varattuchira, were formally welcomed into the BJP by district president V.A. Sooraj, who also inaugurated a new party unit in the area.The CPI(M)’s local leadership said an inquiry would be conducted into the allegations and action would be initiated. Published - November 09, 2026 07:07 pm IST