Wayanad, June 6 (IANS) The CPI(M) has launched a fresh attack against the Congress, alleging that the party’s promised housing project for the victims of the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslide remains stalled even 100 days after the foundation stone was laid.

On Saturday, the CPI(M) claimed on its social media page that at the three-acre coffee plantation purchased by Congress at Kunnambetta in Meppadi, there is no sign of house construction, and even the foundation stone laid during the ceremony is missing.

The foundation stone was laid on February 26 by the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, along with Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Congress announced that construction of houses for disaster victims would begin soon after the ceremony.

However, the CPI(M) alleged that the party has failed to take the project forward and has not even submitted the necessary applications for starting construction.

According to the CPI(M), the temporary pavilion erected for the foundation ceremony was later removed, and, apart from digging a well at the site, no further work has been done.

The party alleged that the foundation stone ceremony was merely an attempt to save face ahead of the Assembly elections.

The CPI(M) further alleged that Congress collected crores of rupees in the name of rehabilitation while campaigning against the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund.

It claimed that, after facing criticism over the delay, Congress purchased a three-acre coffee plantation at Kunnambetta, an area reportedly affected by the wild elephant menace, and held the foundation ceremony.

Congress had initially promised 230 houses for the victims. LoP Rahul Gandhi and the KPCC had announced 100 houses each, while the Youth Congress had promised another 30 houses.

However, the CPI(M) claimed that after collecting funds and spending nearly 1.5 years, Congress laid the foundation stone for only 50 houses.

The ruling party also questioned the details of the funds collected for rehabilitation and asked Congress to clarify how much money was raised and how it was utilised.

It is alleged that LoP Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi did not contribute to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund.

The controversy has intensified the political battle over the rehabilitation of Mundakkai–Chooralmala victims, with the Left and Congress trading charges over relief and rebuilding efforts.

–IANS

sg/dan