Daughter-in-law of late Wayanad DCC Treasurer attempts suicide over debt dispute with Congress
However, Congress sources told Onmanorama that while the party was willing to settle debts incurred by Vijayan for party purposes.
However, Congress sources told Onmanorama that while the party was willing to settle debts incurred by Vijayan for party purposes.
However, Congress sources told Onmanorama that while the party was willing to settle debts incurred by Vijayan for party purposes.
Wayanad: A day after Congress leader Jose Nelledam died by suicide, Padmaja, daughter-in-law of the late Wayanad DCC treasurer N M Vijayan, attempted suicide on Saturday. She was admitted to a private hospital with injuries to one of her wrists. She cut her veins, reportedly in extreme depression after the party allegedly failed to keep its promise of repaying the family’s debts.
Just days earlier, Padmaja had publicly alleged that Vijayan’s family was being neglected by the Congress and struggling with financial burdens. She has also left a suicide note reading: “One more victim for Congress apathy.”
Her elder son reportedly spotted Padmaja with blood oozing from her hand. He alerted relatives and rushed her to the hospital, where she remains under observation. Doctors said her condition is not critical, and no veins were actually cut.
N M Vijayan had committed suicide along with his son Jijesh on December 27, 2025. His family claimed Vijayan had taken financial risks for the Congress party and that the party was responsible for repaying loans to ensure the family’s peaceful life.
However, Congress sources told Onmanorama that while the party was willing to settle debts incurred by Vijayan for party purposes, the family’s demands went beyond what could be provided. Speaking to the media, Kalpetta MLA T Siddique said the party has been doing all it could to assist the family. “We are saddened that such allegations were raised at a time when the party itself is facing a crisis,” he said. “We remain committed to settling the debts taken by Vijayan for the party, and we will do so at the earliest,” Siddique added.
On Saturday evening, DYFI workers marched to Siddique's office, raising slogans before being stopped by police. Officers then asked the MLA’s staff to close the office as a precaution against possible damage. In response, Congress workers led by Siddique staged a counter-protest in Kalpetta town, alleging that DYFI activists had damaged his office. Siddique further claimed the attack was carried out with police support.
Meanwhile, the CPM district leadership visited Padmaja at the hospital and used the occasion to lash out at the Congress. Speaking to the media, CPM leader C K Sasheendran said that the Congress leadership tricked Vjayan's family. "Padmaja told us that an agreement was drafted in the presence of MLA T Siddique regarding the settlement of debts. But now the party is denying the existence of such an agreement," Sasheendran said.
The CPM leader further said that it was time for Congress to reconsider whether such "inferior characters" should remain in the party. He added that another Congress MLA who went to visit Jose Nelledam's house came back without seeing the family. "I hope that at least MP Priyanka Gandhi will visit Jose's family as he was at the forefront of the election to ensure her victory," Sasheendran said.