Blue trolley bag: Visuals emerge, but here's what Rahul Mamkootathil says amid black money charges, latest news, congress, black money charges, blue trolley bag

Nov 06, 2024

Palakkad: Soon after Congress candidate Rahul Mamkootathil dismissed the Palakkad bypoll-related black money allegationsmade by the CPM, visuals emerged showing a blue trolley bag from the hotel where the alleged incident occurred. However, it remains unclear whether the bag contained black money, as claimed by the CPM.

What the visuals showCCTV footage from the KPM Hotel in Palakkad shows Congress leaders Mamkootathil, Shafi Parambil, and V.K. Sreekandan, among others, heading towards a conference hall. The footage also captures Feni carrying a blue trolley bag. According to the CCTV footage released by the CPM, at 10:11 p.m. on Tuesday, Sreekandan MP, Shafi Parambil, and Jyothi Kumar Chamakkala are seen entering the hotel. At 10:13, Sreekandan MP is observed going to the washroom while others proceed to the conference hall. The footage at 10:39 shows Rahul entering the conference hall. At 10:42, Feni is seen in the corridor without a bag. Later, at 10:47, Rahul is escorted from the conference hall to his room, after which Feni exits the room carrying a heavy bag. The footage at 10:51 shows Rahul returning to the conference hall. Feni then leaves the hotel at 10:53, only to re-enter a minute later with the trolley bag, proceeding to the conference room.

Mamkootathil's reactionIn response to the visuals, Mamkootathil maintained that the bag only contained clothes. He clarified that he was at the hotel to plan the upcoming seven-day programme schedule and was preparing to travel to Kozhikode.

Earlier on Wednesday, Mamkootathil had firmly denied CPM's allegation that his assistant, Feni, had brought a blue trolley bag containing black money to the hotel. At a press conference, he placed the bag on the table, offering police full access to inspect it. He further stated that if any money was discovered in the bag, he would immediately halt his campaign.