Wayanad: The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has remitted ₹58 lakh to the loan account of the late NM Vijayan, the DCC treasurer who had died by suicide along with his son Jijesh, allegedly due to mounting debt. An amount totalling ₹58,23,047 was remitted at the Sulthan Bathery Urban Cooperative Bank.

According to a bank official, the total outstanding loan amount is ₹63 lakh. However, Vijayan has a profit share amount due to him from the bank, which is expected to be sufficient to settle the remaining balance in full.

Sulthan Bathery Urban Cooperative Bank president DP Rajasekharan told Onmanorama that the title deeds of the 18 cents of land in the name of Vijayan, including his house at the North Manichira, would be released soon to his son Vijesh.  He also added that Vijesh would need to provide written assurances and complete certain formalities before the documents could be handed over to him. 

Vijayan had initially taken a loan of ₹40 lakh in 2007, which, with cumulative interest over the years, had risen to ₹69 lakh. However, it is learned that the bank agreed to reduce the total outstanding amount to ₹63 lakh following negotiations.

Vijayan died by suicide along with his physically challenged son, Jijesh, on December 27 last year. His family alleged that he had dedicated his life to the Congress party, even putting his personal well-being at risk, and that it was the party’s moral responsibility to repay the loan and ensure the family’s security and peace of mind.

Wayanad DCC president N D Appachan told Onmanorama that, though a bit delayed, the party has kept its promise to settle the debt of Vijayan. "The family can live peacefully at the house of Vijayan now", he added.  

Earlier, Padmaja, daughter-in-law of Vijayan, threatened to stage a satyagraha in front of the Wayanad DCC office if the Congress party continued to delay settling the debts, which were reportedly taken to run party activities. 

Moreover, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi MP had written a letter to KPCC president Sunny Joseph to resolve the issue amicably. Padmaja had publicly raised the issue during Priyanka Gandhi’s visit to Wayanad, causing embarrassment to the party.  

Recently, Padmaja allegedly attempted to take her own life by cutting the veins in her left wrist. She has also publicly expressed her disillusionment, stating that the Congress party is no longer dependable. Amid the controversy, CPM leaders reportedly visited Padmaja in the hospital, assuring her of their support. 

During his recent visit to the district, Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, who was along with his mother Sonia Gandhi, also criticised the state unit as well as the DCC for their failure in addressing the issue in a timely manner.