Thiruvalla, April 7 (NationPress) A new political controversy has erupted in Kerala following allegations from Congress candidate and Muvattupuzha MLA, Mathew Kuzhalnadan, who claims that the catastrophic floods of 2018 were "man-made." This assertion has ignited a heated exchange and illuminated significant divisions within the JD(S), a pivotal ally of the ruling LDF.

Kuzhalnadan has accused former irrigation minister Mathew T. Thomas of intentionally stalling the opening of the Thottappally spillway to favor private contractors.

He produced an audio recording, allegedly featuring current power minister K. Krishnankutty, as supporting evidence.

According to Kuzhalnadan, the delay in opening the spillway allowed a contractor, Mary Matha Construction, to safeguard valuable mineral sand deposits, purportedly leading to significant private profits while exacerbating flood devastation in areas like Chengannur.

Mathew T. Thomas responded unexpectedly, asserting that everything had been cleared by a team from IIT Chennai.

“This has come to light just as elections approach. The individual raising these allegations is someone the courts have reprimanded severely. These claims won't sway me, as the people here know me well,” stated Mathew T. Thomas.

This incident has reignited longstanding factional disputes within the JD(S), originating from the flood period.

In 2018, conflicts during T. Thomas’s time as irrigation minister escalated to the point where party leader H.D. Deve Gowda intervened, replacing him with Krishnankutty.

Although Krishnankutty has retained a ministerial position in the second Pinarayi Vijayan government, he is not contesting in the current elections.

Nevertheless, the claims attributed to him have unsettled the ruling coalition.

In the audio clip, Krishnankutty is seemingly heard stating that despite requests from the Executive Engineer, the spillway remained closed for almost a month.

He suggests that opening it would have washed away a sandbar contracted at a low cost but capable of yielding substantial profits.

The recording also alludes to irregularities in dam management, including water diversion linked to private power projects and alleged financial kickbacks.

In response to the allegations, Krishnankutty remarked that everyone is aware of the current prominence of AI.

“I will consult my legal team and take necessary steps. The individual behind this new revelation is someone who was removed from my office,” Krishnankutty added.

However, the Opposition insists that the accusations raise critical concerns regarding dam management during the floods and possible collusion between officials and private interests.

This episode has overshadowed Mathew T. Thomas’s campaign in Thiruvalla, emerging as a significant electoral hurdle.

Political analysts suggest that the dispute reflects not only internal rivalries within the JD(S) but also questions surrounding flood accountability.

The sharp divisions within the party have amplified the controversy, even as doubts regarding the audio's legitimacy persist.

All eyes are now on whether Krishnankutty will pursue legal action to contest the claims.

A forensic analysis of the audio may soon be unavoidable.

With elections imminent, the "man-made flood" accusation stands to transform the political discourse, transforming a natural calamity into a focal point of a high-stakes electoral confrontation.