RSS worker found hanging

Less than two months after the suspected suicide of Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Thirumala ward councillor K. Anil Kumar here, a 40-year-old Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) worker was found hanging in a shed adjacent to his house at Thrikannapuram on Saturday evening.

The deceased was identified as Anand K. Thampi. A WhatsApp message to friends purportedly written by Anand before his death said he had decided to contest in the upcoming local body polls as an Independent candidate as the BJP had selected someone else.

Anand said in the message that he had informed the RSS district functionaries about his desire to contest from Thrikkannapuram on a BJP ticket.

He was, however, denied the ticket as three local leaders of the BJP and the RSS who allegedly had ties with the sand mafia wanted someone with similar links as their candidate.

Anand’s message went on to say that once he decided to contest as an Independent, he came under immense mental strain as not only BJP and RSS workers but close friends also turned away from him.

The message further hinted at family problems.

The purported suicide message mentioned that no BJP or RSS workers should be allowed to see his body.

The Poojappura police said they got information about Anand’s purported decision to end his life and informed local BJP leaders to identify and reach his house without delay. However, he was found hanging and rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.

BJP district president Karamana Jayan told the media that Anand’s death was unfortunate. He, however, denied that Anand’s name was on the list of those considered for the BJP ticket from Thrikkannapuram. His name was not even discussed in this connection. “Anand used to be a RSS worker and had not held in any post in the BJP,” he said.

Mr. Jayan added that the BJP would not consider anyone associated with the sand mafia or any anti-social element as a candidate. Of the 500-odd names considered for the various wards, the ticket went to those with the maximum possibility of winning, he said.

Peringamala Aji, State secretary of the Shiv Sena, said Anand had contacted him on Friday expressing the wish to contest under the Shiv Sena banner. Following this, Mr. Aji contacted local Shiv Sena leaders and directed them to hold a convention to give him party membership. Anand was then announced as the party candidate.

Mr. Aji said Anand seemed upset about being denied the BJP ticket. Though he had wanted to contest as an Independent, apprehension about lack of support probably influenced his decision to associate with a party.

Anand had embarked on door-to-door visits in the ward on Monday morning.

In the afternoon, he had contacted Mr. Aji and fixed a meeting to meet at Thirumalam where Anand lived at 7 p.m. However, Mr. Aji came to know about Anand’s death around 6 p.m.

Those in distress or having suicidal tendencies could seek help and counselling by calling the following numbers: DISHA – 1056, 0471-2552056