Karikode Cooperative Bank worker alleges dismissal over son’s role in UDF election campaign, management denies claim
Nisa, a widow whose husband died 11 years ago, has been working at the bank for the past six years.
Nisa, a widow whose husband died 11 years ago, has been working at the bank for the past six years.
Nisa, a widow whose husband died 11 years ago, has been working at the bank for the past six years.
A daily wage employee of the Karikode Service Co-operative Bank in Thodupuzha has alleged that the CPM-led bank terminated her services after her son took part in the UDF’s local body election campaign. The employee, Nisa Shiyas (42), worked as a temporary sweeper at the bank. She claimed she lost her job after her son campaigned for Congress candidate Vishnu Kottappuram in Ward 21 (Keerikode) of the Thodupuzha municipality.
Nisa, a widow whose husband died 11 years ago, has been working at the bank for the past six years. Two months ago, the bank increased her daily wage by ₹500, taking her monthly income to ₹5,000. Nisa said her son joined the election campaign purely out of friendship and not due to political affiliation. She claimed the CPM was upset after the Congress candidate won the ward, considered an LDF stronghold, by a margin of 319 votes.
Former block president Jafar Khan Mohammed supported this version, saying Nisa’s son had no political background. “He took part in the campaign only because the candidate was his friend. He did not see it as political activity. Her son is not even involved in student politics here,” Jafar told Onmanorama.
However, the Karikode Service Co-operative Bank president dismissed the allegations, saying the decision to terminate Nisa’s services had no political motive. Speaking to Onmanorama, he said the board was dissatisfied with Nisa’s work performance and had raised concerns earlier, including irregular attendance and failure to complete duties on time. “We had informed her about these issues earlier. The board earlier discussed replacing her or outsourcing the work through an agency to ensure satisfactory performance. The decision to discontinue her services was taken as part of this plan,” he said.
He added that the bank does not interfere in political matters and considers only the institution’s interests. “Politics and bank administration are separate. When an employee fails to perform duties satisfactorily, the management has the authority to take action,” he said.
The president also said Nisa’s family had long-standing links with the CPM and that she was given the job after her husband’s death. “The bank does not consider a worker’s political affiliation while taking administrative decisions,” he added.