Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 16 (NationPress) In light of the rising criticism surrounding the tragic suicide of Anand K. Thampi, who reportedly ended his life after being refused a BJP nomination for the forthcoming local body elections, the BJP leadership in Kerala has categorically stated that he was never affiliated with the party.

During a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar asserted that Anand was not a member of their organization, revealing that he had, in fact, aligned himself with the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena.

“Anand Thampi was never part of the Bharatiya Janata Party. Our records indicate that he had registered as a member of Shiv Sena under Uddhav Thackeray. It is regrettable that political adversaries are attempting to exploit this tragedy to malign the BJP,” Chandrasekhar remarked.

Supporting this viewpoint, BJP state general secretary Adv. Suresh clarified that Anand had never been a contender for the local body elections, as he lacked any organizational ties to the party.

“It is indeed heartbreaking to learn about Anand’s suicide. However, the truth is that he was never active within the BJP. He was neither a worker nor engaged in our initiatives. Thus, he was not considered for potential candidacy,” Suresh stated.

He went on to mention that internal investigations had verified Anand’s connection to the Shiv Sena (UBT), not the BJP. “Our political rivals are using his tragic demise to tarnish the reputation of the BJP,” he added.

Anand K. Thampi, a resident of Jai Nagar in Thirumala, tragically took his life on Saturday. His death sparked a significant outcry, particularly after a suicide note surfaced, in which he allegedly expressed deep distress over being denied a BJP ticket.

Opposition parties claimed that severe factional disputes and disagreements over candidate selections within the BJP had driven Anand to despair. Several local leaders have criticized the BJP’s attempts to dissociate itself from the deceased, especially since his note clearly mentioned his dissatisfaction regarding not receiving a nomination.

This controversy has heightened tensions within Thiruvananthapuram’s political landscape, with various parties exchanging accusations concerning the management of candidate lists and the pressures placed on grassroots aspirants.

As inquiries proceed, Anand’s family and local community members have called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death. The BJP, however, insists that any attempts to involve the party in this controversy are politically charged and factually unfounded.