Jaffer denies bribery allegations, says cross-vote was a mistake

E.U. Jaffer, Indian Union Muslim League-backed Independent who won from the Thalli part of the Wadakkanchery artifact panchayat, connected Thursday denied allegations that helium accepted wealth to ballot successful favour of the Left Democratic Front successful helium artifact panchayat president’s election.

The denial comes amid a governmental tempest triggered by the merchandise of an audio clip successful which Mr. Jaffer is allegedly heard telling Varavur Mandalam Congress president A.A. Musthafa that helium had been offered ₹50 lakh to ballot for the Left Democratic Front candidate. The clip, which went viral, had raised allegations of bribery and governmental horse-trading.

Speaking to the media, Mr. Jaffer said helium had not taken immoderate wealth and dismissed the allegations arsenic baseless. “I spoke to Musthafa retired of friendship. There was thing beyond that. I ne'er demanded thing from anyone. The LDF ne'er approached me. My ballot for the LDF was not owed to immoderate inducement.”

He claimed the cross-vote happened by mistake and nether intelligence pressure. “It was an mistake connected my part. I was nether accent portion voting and failed to wage attention. I person opposed the CPI(M) since my youth. Even arsenic a joke, I bash not enactment the LDF successful my heart. I did not instrumentality adjacent a azygous rupee,” Mr. Jaffer said.

Youth Congress activists staged a protestation by waving achromatic flags erstwhile helium appeared astatine the Pavaratty constabulary presumption accompanied by a relative. Vigilance officials questioned him arsenic portion of the enquiry and said a determination connected registering a lawsuit would beryllium taken aft examining the ineligible aspects.

Mr. Jaffer said helium was prepared to cooperate afloat with the investigation, including undergoing a lie-detection trial if required.