Tension flared again in Thrissur district when a controversy erupted over the distribution of food packets in Vadanappally on Sunday, just a day after a similar incident in Olari.
Around 4,000 food kits were seized from a warehouse attached to Champion Supermarket in Vadanappally, triggering a political storm and clashes on the ground between the rival fronts. A supermarket owner and a BJP worker who allegedly ordered these kits were arrested after the seizure.
The issue escalated when Left Democratic Front (LDF) and United Democratic Front (UDF) workers allegedly surrounded the warehouse, broke open the gate and forced their way inside, saying the kits were distributed to influence voters in favor of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Both the fronts also claimed that BJP leaders gathered in a nearby house as part of the distribution. Dramatic scenes unfolded when protesters prevented film actor and BJP leader Devan, who was in the house along with other BJP leaders, from leaving. He later appeared on the balcony and raised slogans in the middle of the stand.
The BJP denies the allegations
The police arrested and removed TN Prathapana, the UDF candidate in Manalur Assembly constituency, following a Congress-led protest in the area demanding the arrest of BJP workers, including Mr. Devan. Several UDF workers who joined the protest were also taken into custody.
Police said CCTV footage had been examined and there was no evidence to justify arresting Mr Devan. Mr. Prathapan also alleged that large sums of money were being brought into Thrissur to influence voters. The BJP, however, denied all the allegations and claimed that its leaders were only in the area for a routine visit to the house and had no connection with the distribution of the kits.
Case filed in Olari
Meanwhile, in the Olari case reported a day earlier, the police have registered a case naming local BJP leader Radhakrishnan as the first accused. Authorities said the kits, worth around ₹900 each, were obtained from a supermarket, following complaints that they were distributed to secure votes.
LDF leaders, including Revenue Minister K. Rajan, called for a strict procedure and stressed that the elections must be conducted in a democratic manner. The Electoral Commission also intervened and started an investigation based on the complaints filed. Despite the mounting allegations, BJP leaders, including Thrissur candidate Padmaja Venugopal, dismissed the allegations as baseless and politically motivated.
Given the Olari and Vadanappally incidents, the controversy has injected fresh volatility into Thrissur’s electoral landscape and raised serious concerns about campaign ethics as polling day approaches.
Published – 05 Apr 2026 20:07 IST
