Kerala BJP Distances Itself from Co-op Society After Councillor's Suicide; Allegations Surface

Thiruvananthapuram: The suicide of K. Anil Kumar, President of the Farm Tour Cooperative Society and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Councillor of the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, has sparked political controversy, with the BJP leadership distancing itself from the society's governing body following public backlash.

In a press conference, BJP leaders — including state president K. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Karamana Jayan, and Union Minister V. Muraleedharan — denied the party’s involvement in the management of the cooperative society.

However, records indicate that the nine-member governing body, elected in 2022, included several BJP-leaders. The governing council was headed by Tirumala Anil, with members S. Anilkumar, M. Gopal, K. V. Radhakrishnan, A. V. Sajilal, V. S. Chitra, R. Raji Nair, P. Rajeshwari, and Ashwathi.

M. Gopal (commonly known as Gopalji), a former BJP district president and leader of the Hindu Aikya Vedi, was an early president of the cooperative and a current board member. Other members are also BJP cadres. In the wake of Anil Kumar’s death, BJP leaders have denied any association with the cooperative’s operations has drawn criticism from within the party for appearing to distance itself from the controversy.

According to sources, loans were allegedly taken out under the cooperative's name to support election campaigns and other political programmes. As depositors began demanding the return of their funds, Anil Kumar reportedly became increasingly distressed. Despite his repeated appeals for intervention, senior party leaders allegedly remained unresponsive.

An internal investigative report had recommended recovering losses from the society’s secretary and board members. Frequent disputes were reportedly taking place between Anilkumar and the secretary, Neelima R. Kurup, over the financial handling of the cooperative. According to some accounts, a confrontation occurred at the society’s premises on the day before Anil Kumar’s death.

A special investigation team led by Cantonment ACP Stuart Keeler is examining CCTV footage and other evidence related to the incident.