Published Mar 21, 2026 | 10:43 AM ⚊ Updated Mar 21, 2026 | 10:43 AM
B Gopalakrishnan, NDA candidate in Guruvayur
Synopsis: Framing the issue as a question of representation, he alleged that both the Left Democratic Front and the United Democratic Front had consciously avoided fielding candidates from the Hindu community in the constituency.
The Kerala Assembly election campaign has found its first flashpoint — and it comes courtesy of a viral campaign video.
B Gopalakrishnan, NDA candidate in Guruvayur and a vice-president of the Bharatiya Janata Party, has landed in the middle of a political storm after his remarks in a Facebook video triggered sharp reactions from rival fronts.
In the video, Gopalakrishnan claimed that Guruvayur had not elected a Hindu MLA in over five decades.
Framing the issue as a question of representation, he alleged that both the Left Democratic Front and the United Democratic Front had consciously avoided fielding candidates from the Hindu community in the constituency.
He went a step further, declaring it his “responsibility to reclaim the land of Guruvayurappan,” while accusing unnamed forces of controlling the temple town for years.
The remarks, widely shared and debated, have drawn criticism for invoking religion in an election campaign.
Leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) were quick to respond, terming the statements “divisive” and a direct challenge to Guruvayur’s long-standing secular fabric.
The party alleged that the comments were a calculated attempt to polarise voters and undermine communal harmony in a constituency known for its social cohesion.
Local CPI(M) leaders also pointed out that such rhetoric violates the Model Code of Conduct and risks derailing a free and fair electoral process.
The Left has since announced plans to approach the Election Commission with a formal complaint against the BJP candidate.
Adding to the political pushback, opponents dismissed Gopalakrishnan’s claims as misleading, arguing that development initiatives in Guruvayur — from infrastructure projects to civic upgrades — have largely been driven by successive governments and local bodies, not the BJP.
With the controversy gaining traction, what began as a campaign pitch has quickly escalated into the first major political row of the election season — setting the tone for a heated battle ahead.
