CPI(M) councillor in Thiruvananthapuram Corporation resigns following corruption allegation

Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] councillor B. Rajendran representing the Muttathara ward of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation resigned from his position on Friday following allegations that he accepted a commission to clear funds for road construction. According to CPI(M) district secretary V. Joy, the party had demanded him to tender his resignation as soon as the allegations surfaced in the media. He was also ousted from the primary membership of the party.

Mr. Rajendran had allegedly demanded money from the owners of the houses located in the bylane for which funds were cleared for laying interlock tiles.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Joy sought to draw parallels between the quick action initiated by the CPI(M) against its councillor to the lack of action from the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) following similar allegations against their councillors.

“The CPI(M) will under no circumstances protect those who are involved in corrupt practices,” said Mr. Joy.