BJP ticket denial triggers alleged suicide of RSS worker in Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram: In a disturbing incident ahead of the upcoming local body elections in Kerala, an RSS worker allegedly died by suicide after being denied a BJP ticket. Police identified the deceased as Anand K Thampi, a resident of the Thrikkannapuram ward under the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation.

According to police sources, the BJP had already finalised its candidate for the ward, excluding Anand from the final list despite his expectations and involvement in party activities. Close associates revealed that Anand was confident of securing the ticket and had even begun groundwork for the campaign.

Shortly before taking the extreme step, Anand reportedly sent a series of WhatsApp messages to his friends, levelling serious allegations against certain BJP leaders. In the messages, he accused a few senior BJP and RSS functionaries of sabotaging his candidature. He further alleged that some leaders were involved in collusion with the local sand mafia, and that his refusal to cooperate with them had cost him the ticket.

These WhatsApp messages have now become a key part of the police investigation. “We are verifying the authenticity of the chats and examining the allegations raised in them. Statements from his family members, friends, and party workers are being collected,” officials said.

The incident has triggered unease within local BJP and RSS circles, with cadres expressing shock over the developments. While party leaders have remained tight-lipped about the internal allegations, sources within the organisation indicated that an internal inquiry could be initiated to ascertain the circumstances leading to the denial of the ticket.

Anand’s death has cast a shadow on the political atmosphere in the region, with opposition parties demanding transparency from the BJP regarding ticket distribution and internal pressures faced by grassroots workers. Police have initiated a case of unnatural death and are awaiting forensic examination of the deceased’s phone to proceed with further investigation.

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