Lok Sabha elections: Kerala BJP goes to ECI over ‘appeasement’; Thomas Isaac gets notice

Talking to the media on Sunday, 24 March, BJP state president K Surendran announced the party’s intention to approach the Election Commission of India (ECI), alleging violations of the Model Code of Conduct by the LDF administration.

“The LDF government is trying to appease certain groups and gain favour ahead of the elections,” said Surendran.

He added, “The government, which had hastened its efforts to withdraw the anti-CAA protest cases, is not interested in doing the same with the Sabarimala protest cases. Thus, there is a bias.”

The state BJP president also alleged that the state government, as well as the Congress-led Opposition, is trying to create a religious/communal divide in the state.

“In the name of CAA, both LDF and UDF are engaged in spreading misinformation. We will bring this to the attention of the ECI,” said Surendran.

Earlier, in 2021, ahead of the Assembly polls, the CPI(M)-led state government had decided to withdraw cases registered in connection with protests against the entry of young women into the Sabarimala shrine and the Citizenship (Amendment) Act. A then-Cabinet decision stated that it had been decided to withdraw all “cases of not serious criminal nature’’ registered related to the Sabarimala and anti-CAA protests.

It is said that the police had registered an estimated 17,000 cases, arraigning around 68,000 people from various Hindu outfits as accused, in connection with the Sabarimala protests in 2018. In the case of anti-CAA protests of 2019, around 530 cases were registered from January to March 2020.

The @cpimspeak-led Kerala Govt's hypocritical double standards lay bare dangerous political manipulation. Thousands have been arrested for peaceful Sabarimala protests, yet 17,000 cases linger. Now, @pinarayivijayan is revoking cases against CAA protestors, appeasing radical… pic.twitter.com/ItZYbLpm2S

— K Surendran(മോദിയുടെ കുടുംബം) (@surendranbjp) March 19, 2024

The accused in the anti-CAA protests have people from various political and Muslim outfits, including members of the Social Democratic Party of India, the political wing of the banned Popular Front of India, figuring in 170-odd cases.

Last week, it was reported that the government directed the police chief to withdraw cases against those who protested against the CAA.

Also Read: Attempts to destroy Left movement in Kerala, says senior CPI(M) leader AK Balan

Isaac in the eye of the storm

In the case of Thomas Isaac, he has found himself in the eye of a storm regarding alleged violations of the Model Code of Conduct.

The District Collector of Pathanamthitta, Prem Krishnan S IAS, also the District Electoral Officer, has served a notice to Thomas Isaac based on a complaint lodged by the UDF district chairman Varghese Mammen, citing violations of the Model Code of Conduct.

Isaac has been accused of misusing government systems for his election campaigning activities. Specifically, the complaint highlights Isaac’s alleged utilisation of Kudumbashree workers, Asha workers, and Haritha Karma Sena workers for his campaign purposes.

Isaac has been given a deadline of three days to furnish a detailed explanation regarding the allegations levelled against him.

Thomas Isaac is a prominent figure within the LDF and is a former finance minister known for his articulate and strategic political maneuvers.

At the same time, Isaac told the media that the UDF’s complaint was out of “fear of defeat”. According to him, he had visited Kudumbashree members to seek a vote and added that there was nothing wrong with it. “I will give a comprehensive response to the notice,” said Isaac.

Also Read: Kerala government moves Supreme Court against President withholding assent to its Bills

(Edited by Kamna Revanoor)