Wayanad: After remaining out of the public eye and unreachable for over 24 hours, MLA IC Balakrishnan on Friday clarified that he is not absconding. He explained that he had gone to Karnataka to attend the wedding of a friend’s daughter. Balakrishnan is one of the four Congress leaders charged with abetment of suicide in connection with the death of Wayanad DCC treasurer NM Vijayan.

“As a representative of the people, I am not running away. This is part of a conspiracy organized by the CPM, which has been my target for years. I will return to Wayanad soon,” Balakrishnan told the media through a voice message.

The District Magistrate’s Court asked the investigating officer not to arrest Balakrishnan until the court rehears the case on January 15. According to the FIR, Balakrishnan is the first accused in the case, which also names DCC president ND Appachan, former DCC treasurer KK Gopinathan and former DCC president PV Balachandran.