BJP claims ‘fixed match’ between LDF and UDF in CMRL case; Shone George puts out alleged payoff list

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Thursday (September 24, 2026) sought to portray that the ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Keralam are playing a “fixed match” in the CMRL-Exalogic payoff case.

Putting out a purported list of payoffs made to political leaders by S.N. Sasidharan Kartha, the managing director of Cochin Minerals and Rutile Limited (CMRL), BJP State vice-president Shone George questioned the government for not filing an FIR or launching a Vigilance probe into the CMRL-Exalogic payoff allegations.

Alleges list of names

The list of names and payments allegedly made to them, which Mr. George claimed was shared by YouTuber Shajan Skariah on WhatsApp, included the names of Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, Health Minister K. Muraleedharan, Forest Minister Shibu Baby John, Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, Hibi Eden, MP, as well as several other Congress, CPI(M), CPI leaders.

Mr. George claimed that the list was from a page of documents submitted by the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO) to the court. The authenticity of the list could not be independently verified by The Hindu.

Soon after, another list began circulating on social media, which was allegedly cropped out of the one Mr. George had presented. The second list included the names of BJP MLA V. Muraleedharan as well as other RSS and Hindu Aikya Vedi leaders.

When asked about this at a press conference, Mr. Muraleedharan said the media should find out whether there was “another person named Muraleedharan” in the BJP, as he had not accepted any money.

Health Minister K. Muraleedharan also refuted Mr. George’s allegations and said he does not hide the fact that donations were accepted during election time. However, this cannot be equated with the allegations in the CMRL-Exalogic payoff case.

Responding to the names of Communist Party of India (CPI) leaders figuring in the list, CPI State secretary Binoy Viswam said the party leaders have “accepted funds only through proper channels” for elections and State conferences.

BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the police should file an FIR and investigate the allegations. “If there is any allegation against BJP leaders, let them file an FIR, but before that, file an FIR against the Chief Minister too,” he said.