Kerala enters silence campaigning phase; Candidates make last-mile outreach
Thiruvananthapuram (PTI): Kerala on Wednesday entered the mandatory silence period ahead of the April 9 Assembly polls, with candidates and party workers making last-ditch efforts to reach out to voters through door-to-door visits and personal contacts.
After nearly a month-long campaigning period, a total of 2.71 crore voters would exercise their franchise to decide the fate of 883 candidates in the crucial polling for the 140-member Assembly to be held on Thursday.
With high-decibel campaigning ending on Tuesday evening, the focus has now shifted to quiet, direct voter engagement, as candidates seek to secure support from all sections of voters in their constituencies.
Prohibitory orders have been imposed in sensitive constituencies to prevent any untoward incidents, while distribution of polling materials is being carried out across the state from Wednesday morning.
According to the Election Commission, campaigning through public meetings, rallies, media interactions and election-related interviews is strictly prohibited during the silence period to ensure a level playing field for all stakeholders.
In an advisory, the Commission directed star campaigners and political leaders to refrain from addressing the media through press conferences or interviews on poll-related matters during this period. Of the total 2.71 crore voters, 1.32 crore are men, 1.39 crore women and 273 transgender persons, along with over 2.42 lakh overseas voters.
The contest is primarily among three fronts -- the CPI(M)-led LDF, the Congress-led UDF and the BJP-led NDA.
The state's Chief Electoral Officer, Rathan U Kelkar, has said that all arrangements have been put in place for the smooth conduct of polls.
A total of 30,495 polling stations have been set up across Kerala, including 24 auxiliary booths created following the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls, he said.
These additional booths are located in Kasaragod, Kannur, Palakkad, Malappuram and Ernakulam districts.
Among the polling stations, 352 will be managed entirely by women and 37 by persons with disabilities, Kelkar said.
He added that 140 distribution and collection centres have been established, while counting will take place at 140 strongrooms and 43 locations.
As part of security measures, around 2,000 persons identified as potential troublemakers have been placed under preventive detention. Authorities have also executed about 11,000 non-bailable warrants and removed over 3,400 social media posts for alleged violations of poll norms.
The conclusion of public campaigning on Tuesday evening saw a vibrant display of political mobilisation across the state, with roadshows, rallies and processions filling town centres, marked by party flags, drum beats and slogan-shouting workers.
Apart from traditional canvassing, political parties also relied heavily on television, print media and social media platforms to reach voters during the campaign period.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Assam: RSS files police complaints against Kharge for 'derogatory' remarks at poll rally
Guwahati (PTI): The RSS on Wednesday said it has filed complaints at two police stations in Assam against Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge for allegedly comparing the ideology of the organisation and the BJP with a 'poisonous snake' at an election rally.
The complaints were filed to seek legal action over alleged ''derogatory, provocative, and communally sensitive statements made during a recent election rally in south Assam, a RSS spokesman said
In the complaints, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh alleged that the Congress chief had made controversial remarks during an election rally in Nilambazar under the Karimganj South assembly constituency in Sribhumi district.
"If a poisonous snake is moving in front of you while you are offering namaz, you must stop the prayer and rush to kill the poisonous snake first - that is what the Quran prescribes you to do. I tell you that the RSS and BJP are like that same poisonous snake,” Kharge was quoted as saying in the complaints.
The RSS expressed serious concern, claiming that such remarks were "inflammatory in nature and capable of inciting hostility, intimidation, and violence against workers and supporters of the RSS and the BJP".
The complaints pointed out that the statement constitutes a ''corrupt electoral practice under Section 83 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and the remarks criminally intimidated the public and promoted enmity between supporters of different political and social groups''.
Describing the ideology of RSS and BJP as “poisonous” and calling for their elimination could encourage "bodily harm against members and supporters of these organisations", the complaints said.
Kharge's remarks attempt to promote ''communal division between Hindu and Muslim communities, potentially disturbing public peace and harmony in Assam and influencing the electoral environment", the RSS said.
The complainants also claimed that such statements might lead to communal tensions or clashes if not addressed promptly by authorities.
The complaints were filed by RSS' North Assam secretary Khagen Saikia at Dispur Police Station and South Assam's secretary Jyotsnamoy Chakraborty at Silchar PS.
The BJP had also filed complaints on the same allegations at the Basishta Police Station here and with the Election Commission on Tuesday.
