Thiruvananthapuram: The demise of Sreeja S (42), Kottakkakam ward member of the Aryanad grama panchayat, has ignited a political tussle in the region, with the Congress and CPM pointing fingers at each other over the chain of events that preceded her death.

Posters allegedly put up by CPM in Aryanad announced a dharna for Monday, demanding action against Sreeja for allegedly defrauding lakhs of rupees from residents in the area. The posters also called for her expulsion from the Congress party. 

“It is true that Sreeja borrowed money, but only from people she considered close. We never intended to cheat anyone. My surgery and our son-in-law’s surgery had pushed us into severe debt, and she borrowed for that purpose. We had even promised to return the amount by August 30,” said her husband, Jayakumar, a daily wage worker.

Sreeja was found dead on the verandah of her house by her elder daughter, Mithuna. Sreeja made tea for her husband on Tuesday morning and sent him for work before consuming acid in an act of desperation. 

She won from Kottakkakam in 2020, a CPM stronghold, which, according to Congress leaders, had agitated the party. "Sreeja was very active in politics. She initially contested from Kottakkakam in 2010 but lost. In 2020, she won as the Congress candidate. She used her position to do good for people. Even the night before her death, while she was recounting how harrowing and humiliating the accusations had been, she reminded me to get a streetlight in the ward fixed," said Kokkotella ward member and Congress worker Sreerag S V. 

Her husband alleges that the night before her death, she was visibly upset and crying. The posters were stuck throughout the panchayat, shaming her for defrauding people. "About a month ago, lenders and CPM workers came to our house. We explained our situation and said we will pay back the money," Jayakumar said. "She attempted suicide then and was hospitalised for seven days. Yesterday, the dharna was uncalled for. It was led by Panchayat President and CPM worker Vijumohan," he said. 

CPM leaders in the panchayat counter this allegation. Exasperated residents, they said, had lodged complaints with the panchayat, the police, and the Vanitha Commission. “We held a meeting on Monday and asked the Congress leaders to take action and find a solution as people needed their money back,” said Panchayat President Vijumohan. "Prior to the meeting, I called her many times, but she never answered," he added. Vijumohan said that what Congress claims as a protest march by the CPM on Monday was, in reality, only a committee meeting involving complainants and party workers. “We don’t understand why she borrowed such huge amounts, estimated to be lakhs. There were no visible signs of extravagance, and her daughters were married off in a simple way and there were no big expenses. This whole situation seems very mysterious,” he added.

Opposition leader VD Satheeshan hit out at the CPM, accusing its workers of humiliating Sreeja instead of seeking a solution. “They dealt with the issue in the most insensitive manner, without even considering that she was a woman and an elected panchayat member,” he said.

The post-mortem examination was conducted at the Government Medical College and Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram. A public homage will be conducted at Aryanad Junction on Tuesday evening. The cremation will be held on Wednesday.