Thiruvananthapuram: Because the Congress intensifies its protest within the Nationwide Capital in opposition to the Election Fee of India over alleged voter fraud in Bihar and Karnataka within the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, its Kerala unit Tuesday approached the state police relating to alleged fraud within the Thrissur constituency, the place the BJP secured its first-ever Lok Sabha victory within the state.

The Congress filed a police criticism in opposition to Bharatiya Janata Celebration MP Suresh Gopi, alleging that the actor-turned-politician had falsely claimed in his election affidavit that he had been a resident of Thrissur for six months. The criticism was submitted in particular person to the Thrissur Metropolis Police Commissioner by former MP and Congress chief T.N. Prathapan, District Congress Committee president Joseph Tajet, and former MLA Anil Akkara. The Thrissur Assistant Commissioner of Police will lead the probe.

He additional claimed {that a} written criticism had been submitted to the Returning Officer throughout final 12 months’s election, saying that BJP was trying large-scale voter fraud by registering outsiders at rented properties within the constituency, nevertheless it was ignored.

“In keeping with the regulation, offering a false affidavit and getting a reputation included in a voter listing invalidates that vote, and may even disqualify an individual from Parliament. We’ve filed the criticism in search of prison proceedings, and we consider the police will examine and register a case. We’ll pursue the matter legally to the best stage,” Prathapan stated, alleging that there are a number of instances of double voting orchestrated by the BJP, together with Gopi’s brother and shut affiliate.

Gopi gained within the Thrissur seat with 4,12,338 votes, defeating Left Democratic Entrance’s V.S. Sunil Kumar (3,37,652) and Congress’s Okay. Muraleedharan (3,28,124). The criticism comes days after the Congress and Left accused the BJP of committing electoral fraud for his or her victory within the constituency.

Muraleedharan claimed that Thrissur noticed one of many sharpest voter roll will increase within the state—about 47,000—between 2019 and 2024.

“If he really gained via such irregularities, he ought to resign on ethical grounds. I wouldn’t say he ought to resign in any other case, as a result of if he stays, it’s good for the UDF (United Democratic Entrance). The BJP won’t ever win right here once more,” he remarked.

Kerala Common Training Minister V. Sivankutty stated the Election Fee ought to order a re-poll in Thrissur. “Suresh Gopi has been silent on the matter. Meaning he doesn’t have a real clarification.”

Nevertheless, the BJP unit has maintained that Gopi’s electoral victory was real and that the complaints stemmed from Congress’s reluctance to confess defeat.

“Suresh Gopi gained with over 75,000 votes. Why are they elevating the criticism now in spite of everything these months? They may elevate extra complaints after the native physique polls are over,” stated advocate Nivedida Subramanian, president of BJP’s Thrissur North unit. She stated that the celebration will proceed so as to add real voters and names of its supporters to the voters’ listing.

(Edited by Mannat Chugh)

Additionally Learn: ‘Absent’, ‘impolite’—a 12 months on, Suresh Gopi’s star win fades in Thrissur amid voter belief deficit