Thiruvananthapuram: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Kerala has found itself in fresh trouble after its former spokesperson M S Kumar made serious allegations linking the party’s internal functioning to the death of Thiruvananthapuram unit secretary and councillor K Anilkumar.

In a detailed Facebook post, M S Kumar claimed that large-scale financial irregularities and lack of accountability within the BJP had created unbearable pressure on party workers like Anilkumar. “In the cooperative I’m part of, nearly 70 per cent of those who have taken loans are from my own party, and among those who haven’t repaid, 90 per cent are also from the same party,” he wrote.

Anilkumar, 58, who managed a cooperative society at Valiyasala, was found hanging in his ward office at Thirumala on September 20, allegedly due to mounting debt. His death had triggered a political storm, with the CPM holding the BJP responsible. Police, however, said the suicide note contained no direct accusations but admitted that Anilkumar was under pressure from depositors demanding repayment.

M S Kumar further alleged that the defaulters included state-level office bearers, cell convenors, and even leaders from other parties who joined the BJP after becoming close to the central leadership. “I pleaded with them several times, but nothing changed. So, I’ve decided to publicly reveal their names and the amounts they owe in my next post,” he added.

Describing Anilkumar as a “sincere politician with immense potential,” Kumar said the councillor’s death was the tragic outcome of financial stress and betrayal. “He had the potential to rise high in politics, but was forced to end his life midway because of his involvement in the cooperative sector. I can imagine the mental agony he went through — because I’m going through something similar,” he wrote.

According to M S Kumar, the crisis in the cooperative sector worsened after controversies in institutions such as Karuvannur Service Cooperative Bank, Kandala Co-operative Society, and BSNL cooperative societies, which eroded public trust and halted new investments in smaller societies. “A few people, out of personal enmity, spread false news through the media. Some outlets published it without verifying facts, creating an impression that our society had collapsed. Borrowers stopped repayments, and depositors rushed to withdraw funds. Perhaps even those whom Anil expected to stand by him turned away,” Kumar said.

He further lashed out at the hypocrisy within the political ecosystem: “It wasn’t about asking anyone for money; at least those who had taken loans could have repaid them. Paying tributes after death is not what real political commitment means.”

Expressing frustration over being ostracised for speaking out, Kumar said, “I have never been involved in corruption, but helping these people has made me an unwanted and despised person today. The time has come to end this game where loan defaulters become respectable leaders. Let the people know who they are. The voters are wise — they will understand.”

The BJP leadership has not yet officially responded to Kumar’s recent allegations.