Thrissur (Kerala), March 22 A controversy has erupted in Kerala, a state heading for elections, over alleged communal remarks made by BJP candidate B Gopalakrishnan in the Guruvayur constituency during his campaign video. Both the ruling CPI(M) and the opposition Congress have approached the Election Commission seeking action against him.
The Congress-affiliated student organization, Kerala Students' Union (KSU), also filed a complaint with the High Court, demanding stern action against the alleged remarks, which were reportedly divisive in nature.
The controversy revolves around a campaign video in which Gopalakrishnan allegedly claimed that the Guruvayur constituency had not elected a Hindu MLA for nearly five decades and accused both the Left and the Congress-led fronts of not fielding candidates from the community.
Guruvayur is an international pilgrimage center, and Gopalakrishnan alleged in the video that the "land of Lord Guruvayurappan" had been controlled by "temple thieves" for the past five decades.
"Why has there not been a Hindu MLA in Guruvayur so far?" he allegedly asked in the video.
Strongly criticizing Gopalakrishnan's alleged remarks, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan said he was not surprised, as BJP leaders always seek votes by attempting to divide people based on religion and caste.
He said that Kerala is a state known for its communal harmony, and that constituencies like the Muslim-dominated Ponnani have MLAs from the Hindu community, and places like Guruvayur have elected Muslim legislators multiple times.
"It is the Election Commission that should take action against him. We have already filed a complaint in this regard," he told reporters in Kochi.
CPI(M) Thrissur district secretary Abdul Khader also alleged that Gopalakrishnan's remarks were aimed at creating divisions among people and said that the BJP had no role in the development of the Guruvayur temple town.
He said a formal complaint has been lodged with the Election Commission against the alleged communal comments.
Khader said that the development of Guruvayur has primarily been driven by secular parties and accused the BJP of pursuing divisive politics ahead of the elections.
He also questioned the contribution of Union Minister and Thrissur MP Suresh Gopi, asking what initiatives he had undertaken for the development of the Guruvayur Temple during his two-and-a-half years in office.
Gokul Guruvayoor, president of the KSU in Thrissur, in a Facebook post, said that a writ petition has been filed before the Kerala High Court seeking action, including the disqualification of the candidate.
In the Facebook post, he also said that complaints have been submitted to the district collector, district police chief, state election authorities, and the Guruvayur ACP, alleging that the remarks were aimed at creating communal divisions to influence voters.
There was no immediate response from the BJP leader on the allegations.