The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M) or CPM], which is in power in Kerala, has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against V Muraleedharan, a Union minister and BJP leader, for displaying an image of a Hindu deity on his election banner. Muraleedharan is contesting as the NDA candidate from the Attingal Lok Sabha constituency.
In a formal letter addressed to the Election Commission, C Jayanbabu, the Thiruvananthapuram District Committee Secretary of the CPM, expressed concern over a flex board featuring Muraleedharan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi being placed within the premises of the revered Janardhana Swami Temple in Varkala.
Jayanbabu stated that this temple holds great significance for the Hindu community, attracting a considerable number of worshippers regularly. He mentioned that the flex board prominently showcases images of the temple’s deity, Janardhana Swami, along with other divine figures, positioned above the images of the BJP candidate.
Furthermore, he pointed out that the flex board also features the official election symbol of the BJP and encourages voters to support their candidate, V Muraleedharan. Jayanbabu emphasized that this explicit appeal, utilizing religious symbols, is unquestionably a corrupt practice and a clear violation of electoral norms as outlined in Section 123(3) of the Representation of the Peoples’ Act, as stated in his letter.
The CPM leader expressed his belief that the inclusion of a deity’s picture on the flex board could be interpreted as a gesture of reverence, but he also alleged that it undeniably served as a call to vote for the BJP candidate.
According to the letter, the intentional placement of religious imagery ahead of the political figures aims to manipulate the emotions of devotees in favour of the BJP candidate. Such actions, the letter emphasized, are not only illegal but also a breach of the code of conduct mandated by the Election Commission and a violation of the provisions of the Representation of the Peoples’ Act.
The party has called on the election commission to swiftly address the violations committed by the BJP candidate, stressing the urgency of taking immediate measures. Kerala, which has 20 Lok Sabha seats, is set to hold voting on April 26 in a single phase. Vote counting will occur on 4 June.
