Members of the two fronts besieged a warehouse at Vadanappally, Manaloor, alleging that kits were being prepared and distributed from the location, effectively blocking a local BJP leader and actor Devan, who was present inside, from exiting the premises.
UDF candidate T N Prathapan, who arrived at the warehouse, asserted that over 4,000 kits were ready for distribution and that materials for creating an additional 10,000 kits were stored there.
He called for the arrest of the BJP leaders inside the warehouse, stating that UDF activists would not vacate the area until action was taken. He also demanded the seizure of the warehouse and the vehicles present, claiming they were intended for transporting the kits.
Similar claims and demands were voiced by LDF activists who were also present at the scene.
They engaged in clashes with BJP supporters who showed up after learning their leaders were unable to leave.
Police arrived at the scene following reports of alleged kit preparation but were unsuccessful in persuading UDF and LDF activists to disperse. Central forces were deployed to prevent further confrontations between the two groups.
Authorities informed reporters that Election Commission (EC) officials were inside the warehouse assessing the situation.
As UDF and LDF activists chanted slogans against the BJP, Devan and the local BJP leader emerged on the balcony of the warehouse, making mocking gestures at them.
Eventually, the owner of the warehouse was taken into custody and removed from the property, according to police reports.
Earlier that day, the EC announced that it had opened a case and initiated an investigation into the illegal distribution of household kits in certain parts of Thrissur city on April 4.
The case was filed following the interception of unauthorized distribution near Olari Parthasarathy Temple and Karthika Super Market by an Election Flying Squad, as per an EC statement.
This incident took place just days before the Assembly elections in Kerala, scheduled for April 9.
UDF and LDF candidates from Thrissur, Rajan Pallan and Alankode Leelakrishnan, accused the BJP of orchestrating the kit distribution.
Pallan stated in a TV interview that the saffron party was allegedly handing out food kits and bar vouchers to influence voters, demanding a thorough investigation into the situation.
Leelakrishnan described the episode as “unfortunate,” indicating that his party, CPI, and the LDF would take necessary legal actions.
“It’s unacceptable for democracy to be undermined by money power. Such attempts must be addressed by the Election Commission,” he asserted on a TV channel.
In response, BJP candidate Padmaja Venugopal claimed no knowledge of the incident.
The enforcement team, under the supervision of Executive Magistrate Dr Bindu T N, discovered that 26 kits, each worth approximately Rs 900 and containing various household items, were being distributed.
The EC stated that investigations revealed the distribution was orchestrated by an individual named Radhakrishnan, and it was noted that an additional 75 kits had already been given out before authorities arrived.
The EC further mentioned that the alleged actions constitute offenses under sections 170(1)(i) (bribery in elections) and 173 (punishment for bribery) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, and section 123(A)(1) (corrupt practices) of the Representation of the People Act.
Since the offenses were classified as non-cognizable, the EC obtained necessary prior approval from the jurisdictional Magistrate to initiate formal legal action.
