EC warns parties against use of Sabarimala issue in campaigning, BJP terms directive illogical
Thiruvananthapuram/Kottayam, Mar 11: The Election Commission Monday warned political parties in Kerala not to use the Sabarimala temple matter as a campaign issue, drawing a sharp reaction from the BJP which termed the directive "illogical."
With the poll dates being announced, Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena said "citing or invoking" religious propaganda on the "Sabarimala issue" would be a clear violation of the model code of conduct.
"Inviting religious feelings, using any kind of Supreme Court judgment, invoking or soliciting the votes in the name of religion or by inciting religious feelings is a clear violation of the model code of conduct," he told reporters at Thiruvananthapuram.
The CEO also said the commission would not allow any kind of violation that puts a particular political party at an advantage over another.
Reacting to the directive, BJP state general secretary K Surendran said the stand taken by the state government on Sabarimala issue would be an election issue.
"It is 100 per cent that the stand taken by the (state) government on Sabarimala issue will be discussed in elections.
No one can interfere in it... It is illogical to say that the Sabarimala issue should not be discussed in the election," Surendran told the media at Kottayam.
Addressing the media in Thiruvananthapuram, the CEC said "inviting religious feelings, using any kind of Supreme Court judgement, invoking or soliciting the votes in the name of religion or by inciting religious feelings is a clear violation of the model code of conduct."
The CEC also said the commission would not allow any kind of violation that puts a particular political party at an advantage over another.
"Citing or invoking or doing something of religious propaganda on the Sabarimala issue by invoking the name of Sabari God, etc., will be a clear violation of the model code of conduct," Meena said.
He added that the Sabarimala issue was a controversial matter as far as Kerala was concerned and political parties "need to draw a line to what extent they have to use it".
"Tomorrow, I am holding a meeting with political parties in this regard and I will be requesting them not to unnecessarily use this religious feeling or religious traditions to solicit votes as this may create some religious tensions among people.
If that happens, action will be taken against those responsible," Meena said.
Surendran said as per election rules no one can speak against the Supreme Court order on the Sabarimala matter and no stand can be taken against other religions during the elections.
Kerala witnessed widespread violence by devotees and right-wing activists after the state government decided to implement the Supreme Court's September 28, 2018 verdict allowing women of all ages into the Sabarimala temple.
The BJP has already pinned its hope on the Sabarimala issue as it believes that it was able to create a momentum among its workers.
The saffron party's central leadership brought back former BJP state chief Kummanam Rajasekharan, who was appointed as Mizoram governor nine months ago, to lead the party in the state.
The Lok Sabha elections will begin on April 11 and continue for over a month till May 19 across seven phases, followed by counting of votes on May 23.
Kerala will go to the polls on April 23.
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Retired Army man killed in Kota; wife, aide held
Kota (Raj) (PTI): A 45-year-old retired Army man was allegedly strangled to death in Kota city in a conspiracy hatched by his wife with her lover and his friend, police said on Saturday.
The incident took place in the Avani Road area under the RK Puram police station limits on the intervening night of Thursday and Friday.
The deceased, identified as Manoj Kumar Sharma, a native of Kishangarh in Ajmer, had been living with his family in Kota for several years. He worked as a clerk in the Ajmer electricity department after retiring from the Indian Army five years ago.
The police said the accused were preparing to perform the last rites on Friday morning without informing Sharma's parents, who live in Kishangarh. However, the neighbours grew suspicious and informed them. The parents reached Kota on Friday afternoon, stopped the cremation and lodged a complaint against the deceased's wife, Deepika (40), her lover Devesh and his friend Vishnu.
The police found strangulation marks on the body, indicating foul play, Circle Inspector of the local police station Sidharth Shrivastav told reporters on Saturday.
During the initial inquiry, it was revealed that Deepika was in a relationship with Devesh, a resident of the Khedli Phatak area in the city, who frequently visited her house in the absence of her husband.
On Thursday night, Sharma, Devesh and his friend Vishnu allegedly consumed liquor, during which a scuffle broke out between Sharma and Devesh. Devesh, along with Vishnu, allegedly strangled Sharma to death in Deepika's presence, the CI said.
The couple's children -- daughter (12) and son (14) -- were sent to bed in an upper-storey room at the time of the incident, ASI Brijraj Singh said.
On the complaint of Sharma's father, the police registered a case of murder and criminal conspiracy against the three accused. Two accused have been arrested, while Devesh is absconding, the CI said, adding that two police teams have been formed to trace and arrest him.
Family members of the deceased said relations between Sharma and Deepika had been strained for several years and alleged she frequently assaulted him.
