Daijiworld Media Network - Thiruvananthapuram
Thiruvananthapuram, Jul 15: Kerala chief minister V D Satheesan on Wednesday said the state government has not received any official complaint regarding the alleged misappropriation of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) election funds, adding that any action would depend on the filing of a formal complaint.
Addressing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, the chief minister said neither the state government nor any of its departments had so far received a complaint related to the allegations.
"If a complaint is submitted, it will be examined in accordance with the law and appropriate action will be taken," he said.
His remarks come amid an intensifying political controversy over alleged financial irregularities in the Kerala BJP's election campaign spending.
The latest development follows the circulation of a series of purported audio recordings that allegedly suggest commissions were paid to party functionaries during the procurement of election campaign materials.
In the most recent audio clip, which surfaced this week, a person claimed to be a representative of a company supplying campaign materials allegedly stated that Rs 31 lakh had been paid to a BJP leader even before the party settled the full payment for flags and banners.
The recording also allegedly claims that despite repeated requests, an outstanding payment of Rs 4.65 lakh due to the company has not been cleared.
The allegations come in the wake of earlier claims that campaign flags and banners supplied free of cost by the BJP's central leadership were diverted and sold through local channels. It has also been alleged that contracts for election materials were awarded to preferred private firms at inflated prices in return for commissions.
Separate accusations have also emerged regarding the alleged use of party funds to make bulk bookings at a luxury hotel in Thiruvananthapuram during the election campaign.
The controversy has sparked criticism from within sections of the Kerala BJP, with several dissident leaders accusing the state leadership of attempting to suppress the issue despite allegations of financial irregularities in multiple districts.
The Kerala BJP leadership is expected to review the allegations and discuss the matter in the coming days.