Thiruvananthapuram: Just days before the Assembly polls in Kerala, state BJP leader and party candidate from Guruvayur, B Gopalakrishnan, has been booked for allegedly making a communal remark during a poll campaign. The elections in the state will be held on April 9. while results will be announced on May 4.
Gopalakrishnan has been booked under Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita Section 192 and Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act. The case has ben filed following an intervention of the Election Commission, news agency PTI reported.
Row erupts in Kerala over comments
The development has come after a row erupted in the state over comments. The ruling CPI(M) and the Congress had approached the Election Commission on the remarks. Congress-affiliated student outfit Kerala Students’ Union (KSU) too moved the High Court and lodged a police complaint the BJP leader urging it to take tough action against the remark, which allegedly had communal tones. that he asked for report report from the district collector over the issue.
The entire row started after campaign video went viral in which Gopalakrishnan purportedly can be heard claiming that Guruvayur constituency did not elect a “Hindu MLA” for nearly five decades, He had also alleged that t both the Left and the Congress-led alliance did not field candidates from the community. “Why there was no Hindu MLA in Guruvayur so far?” he asked, as per PTI.
Not surprised by statement: Congress
Slamming him for his remarks, senior Congress leader V D Satheesan said he was not surprised as BJP leaders always votes by dividing the people in the name of caste and religion. Pointing out that Kerala is known for communal harmony, he added, “It is the Election Commission that should take action against him. We have already filed a complaint in this regard.”