Tension rose in Elappully panchayat in Palakkad, Kerala, on Tuesday morning amid the controversy over the proposed brewery project. CPI(M) workers, who back the project, laid siege to the gram panchayat office, preventing officials from attending a scheduled governing council meeting convened to oppose the brewery.
The CPI(M) claimed that their protest was against alleged irregularities by the panchayat in the implementation of the Life Mission and drinking water schemes. Party workers insisted that they would not allow anyone to enter the office.
Employees and civic officials, including the panchayat secretary, were denied entry to the office. Panchayat president Revathy Babu was also blocked.
The Congress-led panchayat council alleged that the CPI(M) was trying to scuttle the scheduled meeting against the brewery. A strong police force was deployed at the site.
Meanwhile, Congress workers under the leadership of Ms. Babu laid siege to the Pollachi-Palakkad highway, blocking traffic and leading to a long build-up of vehicles.
Ms. Babu demanded that the police remove CPI(M) workers who had blocked the panchayat office. “We are not going to their houses, we are going to the panchayat office to attend the board meeting. They have no right to stop us from doing so,” she said.
The proposed brewery sanctioned by the Kerala government earlier triggered widespread protests. Several political parties, apart from the CPI(M) opposed the project, citing risks to food safety and agriculture.
CPI mouthpiece Janayugam had demanded that the government review projects that go against public interests.
Published – October 28, 2025 02:03 pm IST
