Palakkad (Kerala), April 8 (NationPress) Just hours before the polling begins, the Palakkad Assembly constituency in Kerala is engulfed in a storm of allegations regarding cash and material inducements. This has prompted rapid action from election officials and fierce exchanges among competing political factions.

The uproar started when the Congress party released footage allegedly depicting BJP workers distributing cash to voters in the Kannadi panchayat.

In the footage recorded at Tharuvakkurissi, it appears an elderly woman received money shortly after NDA candidate Shobha Surendran and her team paid condolences to a nearby grieving family.

According to Congress leaders, after expressing their sympathies, members of Surendran's team approached the neighboring household, interacted with the woman, and handed her Rs 5,000.

The emergence of these visuals on the eve of polling has put the BJP on the back foot, with both Congress and the UDF accusing them of a deliberate scheme to sway voters via cash distribution.

Additional videos have also surfaced that seem to show the candidate confronting individuals who filmed the incident, further escalating tensions.

In an unexpected turn, the elderly woman, identified as Devu, has denied receiving any funds from BJP representatives, claiming the cash shown in her possession was her pension.

This statement has introduced a layer of confusion into the matter, even as political tensions remain high.

While the cash allegations unfolded, new videos emerged from another area of the constituency, reportedly showing sarees being handed out to women.

Congress leaders assert that they have lodged complaints along with video evidence to the electoral authorities, claiming that the distribution of goods violates electoral regulations.

Shafi Parambil, MP and former MLA of Palakkad, condemned these actions as a clear breach of electoral laws.

Pointing to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent campaign in the area, he noted that such incidents tarnish the integrity of the electoral process, while expressing confidence that voters will reject inducement strategies.

The Election Commission is actively investigating, having requested a report from the District Collector and deployed flying squads to examine the allegations.

Under the Representation of the People Act, it is a serious offense to offer cash or gifts to influence voters.

As Palakkad prepares for polling, attention has shifted from campaign speeches to concerns about electoral integrity, with authorities expected to verify the legitimacy of the footage and assess whether violations have occurred.