Kerala Assembly polls: Complaint against BJP candidate’s "Hindu MLA" remark
Thrissur (Kerala) (PTI): The Congress-affiliated student outfit, KSU, moved Kerala High Court against a purported remark -- which allegedly had communal overtones -- of the BJP-led NDA candidate in the Guruvayoor Assembly constituency.
The KSU has also filed complaints with police and officials regarding the purported speech of Guruvayur NDA candidate B Gopalakrishnan.
KSU's complaint pertains to a campaign video in which Gopalakrishnan purportedly claimed that the constituency had not elected a Hindu MLA for nearly five decades and alleged that both the Left and the Congress-led fronts had not been fielding candidates from the community.
Guruvayur is an international pilgrimage centre, and the "land of Lord Guruvayurappan" has been in the hands of "temple thieves" for the past five decades, Gopalakrishnan alleged in the purported video.
"Why is there no Hindu MLA in Guruvayur so far?" he allegedly asked in the video.
KSU Thrissur district president, Gokul Guruvayoor, in a Facebook post, said a writ petition has been filed before the Kerala High Court seeking action, including the disqualification of the candidate.
In the FB post, he also said 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.
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EC tightens vigil in Bengal ahead of polls; senior police officers start police station visit
Kolkata (PTI): Senior police officials began visiting police stations across West Bengal from Sunday as the Election Commission stepped up monitoring of poll preparedness and security arrangements in the poll-bound state.
During these visits, officers in charge of police stations are being briefed on measures needed to be taken for holding free and fair polling.
In line with directives from the poll panel, police commissioners and superintendents of police have started visiting police stations to review law and order arrangements ahead of the ensuing elections, an official from the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer's office said.
"Senior officers have been instructed to conduct ground-level assessments and guide local police units to ensure a peaceful, free and fair electoral process," he said.
Police authorities are also expected to send out a strong message on maintaining an environment free of fear and violence.
"The focus is on building confidence among voters and strict enforcement of measures to curb any attempt at malpractice, including booth capturing or intimidation," the official added.
Polling for the 294-member West Bengal Assembly is slated on April 23 and 29, while the counting of votes will be held on May 4.
