Wayanad Congress Plunged into Crisis Amid Internal Feuds and Leader Suicides

Wayanad: The Congress party in Wayanad is facing a severe internal crisis following a series of tragic suicides by its local leaders over the past decade, with four deaths reported in just the last two years. Allegations of corruption, factional disputes, and negligence by senior leadership have deepened the turmoil, prompting mounting criticism against the party’s district leadership.

Reports suggest that several of the deceased leaders had levelled serious charges against District Congress Committee (DCC) officials before taking their lives. Despite the recurring tragedies and intensifying factional clashes, the state leadership is accused of failing to intervene meaningfully. In response to growing concerns, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi has reportedly sought a detailed report from the district leadership on the controversies.

In 2023, Rajendran Nair, a Congress leader from Pulpally, ended his life after falling victim to a loan scam linked to the Congress-led Pulpally Bank governing body. The following year, N.M. Vijayan, then DCC treasurer, and his disabled son were caught in the fallout of a recruitment scam at cooperative banks in Bathery. After being allegedly forced to bear the burden of financial irregularities blamed on DCC leaders, Vijayan poisoned his son before taking his own life.

More recently, just two days ago, Jose Nalladam, vice president of Mullankolly mandal and a ward member, died by suicide amid fears of being falsely implicated in a criminal case arising from factional rivalries. Allegations surfaced that explosives and liquor had been planted at the residence of rival leader Kanattumala Thankachan to frame Jose in a fabricated case.

Adding to the crisis, Padmaja, the daughter-in-law of late Vijayan, attempted suicide yesterday and is currently undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Sultan Bathery. She has announced plans to petition the Chief Minister and begin a hunger strike in protest.

The spate of suicides has revived memories of an earlier tragedy in 2015, when P.V. John, then Mananthavady Block Committee president and DCC general secretary, took his life inside the party office. At the time, allegations suggested he acted out of distress after being sidelined by his own colleagues during the local body elections.

The repeated incidents have raised urgent questions about accountability within the Congress, with many accusing the leadership of turning a blind eye to the worsening factionalism and corruption within the party’s district units.