Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leader V. Sivankutty on Tuesday (August 4, 2026) accused the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala of scapegoating an under secretary to divert attention from its deal with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to secure six months of leave for BJP councillor R. Sugathan.

The Local Self-Government department had on Monday suspended Chithra P. Arunima, a Kerala Administrative Service (KAS) officer serving as an under secretary in the department, over a letter that was used by the BJP-led Thiruvananthapuram Corporation administration to secure the leave for Mr. Sugathan, who is currently lodged at the high-security correctional facility at Viyyur Central Prison in Thrissur.

Without the leave getting sanctioned, Mr. Sugathan, who was arrested under the Kerala Anti-Social Activities (Prevention) Act (KAAPA), faced the prospect of disqualification as a councillor, having missed three consecutive council meetings.

‘Repayment of debt’

Mr. Sivankutty alleged that the “rescue operation” for the BJP councillor was the Congress’s repayment of its debt for vote trading in the recent elections.

“While the BJP voted for K. Muraleedharan in the Assembly elections, the Congress helped the BJP in the local body elections. The intermediary in this vote trade was the KAAPA-accused BJP councillor. When the High Court invalidated his oath-taking, the government first helped him by providing him with an opportunity to take the oath again in jail. Later, the Home department issued an order advising a completely illegal ‘escape route’ that a KAAPA prisoner will not be disqualified if he is granted leave by the majority of the council. The misguided intervention of the departments ruled by the Muslim League and the Congress paved the way for him to secure leave,” he alleged.

Mr. Sivankutty alleged that despite the full authority of the jail superintendent to reject Mr. Sugathan’s application, the file was sent to the Secretariat and a circular in favour of the accused was quickly issued, starting from the lowest level and going up to the Additional Chief Secretary of Home Affairs. The drama took place with the knowledge of the Congress association office-bearers in key posts in the Home department as well as various Ministers, he alleged.

‘CM should clarify’

The CPI(M) leader said that the Chief Minister should clarify whether the advice of the Law department was sought before the letter was cleared. “An under secretary does not have the authority to issue such an order on her own. The decision is made after the file goes up and is examined by the superiors. Why is the under secretary alone made a scapegoat in this?” he asked.

The Left Democratic Front (LDF) has submitted a complaint to the State Election Commission, Corporation Secretary, and Home and Local Self-Government Ministers, citing the violations of the law in granting leave to Mr. Sugathan. The front is also considering approaching the High Court to nullify the council decision, he said.