A fierce political controversy has erupted across Pathanamthitta following the abrupt dismissal of a prominent cooperative bank’s governing board on August 24.

State authorities defended the sudden ouster, claiming the leadership actively obstructed an official inquiry into internal institutional irregularities.

Vehemently denying any misconduct, the ousted directors labelled the administrative action a politically motivated vendetta and pledged to mount an immediate legal challenge against the order.