Cash counting machine trope symbolising bar bribery returns to roil Kerala politics
Politics tamfitronics Youth Congress workers stage a protest near the official residence of Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh with a currency note counting machine alleging corruption and demanding his resignation, in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.| Photo Credit: S. MAHINSHAThe cash-counting machine trope has reappeared from political oblivion to bedevil Kerala politics after a hiatus of eight years.In 2016, the Left Democratic Front (LDF) employed it as a metaphor for liquor policy-related “corruption” in the then-Oommen Chandy government. The political consequences were considerable. The LDF agitation cost two United Democratic Front (UDF) Ministers their Cabinet berths, though the consequent anti-corruption inquiry came to nought.Seeks resignationOn Monday, the UDF repurposed the incriminating trope that plagued the Oommen Chandy government to turn the tables on the LDF. Flaunting a note-counting machine, Youth Congress workers marched to Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh’s official residence...