Clash over alleged liquor distribution to sway voters at Tholpetty in Wayanad

A clash broke out between workers of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) at Tholpetty near Mananthavady on Tuesday (December 9, 2025) night after UDF members accused the LDF of distributing liquor to residents at Nedumthana Unnathi to influence their votes. A large police force, led by the Mananthavady DySP, had to intervene to settle the issue.

The UDF alleged that liquor was distributed under the leadership of the local LDF candidate and that the CPI(M) workers in police custody were forcibly released. UDF workers protested against the police for not arresting the candidate in question.

On the other hand, LDF workers claimed they had reached Unnathi to prevent UDF workers from distributing liquor and that the UDF protest was driven by frustration. However, police said no evidence of liquor distribution was found at the site.

In a separate incident, the UDF alleged that BJP workers were distributing liquor in Poothadi, centred around the BJP office set up for election purposes. The BJP, however, denied the claim.