Wayanad: An employee of the CPM-run Brahmagiri Development Society (BDS) in Wayanad, Noushad M, has threatened to end his life at the office of the CPM District Committee, citing non-repayment of ₹14 lakh he had deposited in the society’s projects. Noushad, a party worker, said both the party and state government failed to address his grievances despite repeated complaints.

Once a thriving quasi-cooperative, BDS, known for projects including the frozen meat brand ‘Malabar Meat’, plunged into financial crisis after the COVID-19 pandemic. The crisis deepened in 2022, leading to the closure of most units, including a multi-species abattoir in Sulthan Bathery.

The society had mobilised funds from over 500 depositors, employees, and chicken farmers through cash bonds and security deposits. Noushad’s letter alleges financial irregularities, including diversion and siphoning of funds, and warns that his revelations are “just the tip of the iceberg.”

In 2022, Noushad had also given an emergency loan of ₹2 lakh to BDS, which remains unpaid. He faced legal troubles over a bounced cheque and was jailed for three days, later freed after his sister sold her gold to secure his release.

Former employees and depositors, many retired government staff, have held protests demanding repayment. “Most invested their pensions hoping to meet personal and family needs, but are now left in distress,” a former employee said.

Started in 1999 by late CPM leader P V Varghese Vaidyar, BDS initially produced sanitary products and later expanded under chairman P Krishnaprasad with a ‘Worker Self Management’ model, which allowed frontline workers to manage units directly.

Currently, only the BDS headquarters remains operational, with most employees having resigned or gone on leave due to unpaid salaries.