Kerala CM slams KC Venugopal over “cash-for-seats” allegations in Haryana Assembly polls

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday launched a scathing attack on AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal regarding allegations of “cash-for-seats” in Haryana Assembly polls.

Chief Minister Vijayan said in Malappuram on Sunday that the allegations have surfaced, suggesting that KC Venugopal or those in his circle demanded crores of rupees through intermediaries to secure party tickets for the 2024 Haryana Assembly elections.

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“The names of the highest-ranking leaders of the Congress and people in their circle have been mentioned in the allegations. Candidacy is normally supposed to be obtained as part of political activity. But things have come to a point where it is questionable whether it has become a buy-it-or-pay situation,” CM Vijayan said.

Vijayan accused Congress of political double standards, noting that while the party frequently levels corruption charges against the LDF government in Kerala, it fails to address serious internal accusations.

He questioned why no legal action or internal probe was initiated if the allegations were false, suggesting that the “mysterious silence” of the national leadership undermines the credibility of their politics.

“Despite such serious allegations, the Congress leadership has not yet given a clear response. Why is this? If the allegations are false, they can be denied, and legal action can be taken,” the Chief Minister said.

The “Haryana cash-for-seat allegation” refers to a political controversy that emerged in March 2026, involving accusations that senior Congress leaders took bribes in exchange for promising election tickets for the Haryana Assembly elections.

Gaurav Kumar, husband of a Haryana Mahila Congress State General Secretary, alleged that Congress leaders took Rs 7 crore from him to secure a ticket for the Bawal assembly seat. He claimed that despite payment, the ticket was not provided, and the money was not returned.

The allegations directly implicate top Congress leadership, including AICC General Secretary KC Venugopal, Kodikkunnil Suresh MP, and aides associated with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.