Guruvayoor: NDA’s Guruvayoor candidate B. Gopalakrishnan has once again courted controversy after campaign hoardings allegedly questioning the repeated election of Muslim MLAs in the constituency drew criticism from political opponents and observers.
The hoardings, installed as part of his election campaign, listed all MLAs who have represented the constituency since 1977 under the headline, “Don’t you see?” The poster carried the caption: “50 years of disregard. This should change! And to change this… Advocate B. Gopalakrishnan,” alongside the NDA’s election symbol.
While the hoardings do not explicitly mention religion, critics allege that the campaign subtly highlights the religious identity of past representatives, attempting to mobilise voters along communal lines. The controversy has drawn renewed attention in light of Gopalakrishnan’s earlier statements that were widely criticised as Islamophobic.
Previously, the BJP leader had stated that Guruvayoor had not elected a Hindu MLA in the past 50 years. He also questioned why a national pilgrimage centre like Guruvayoor had not been represented by a Hindu legislator, alleging that neither the Left Democratic Front (LDF) nor the United Democratic Front (UDF) field candidates from the Hindu community.
Following these remarks, a complaint was filed with the Election Commission of India (ECI), which forwarded the matter to the Guruvayur Temple Police and directed the District Collector to take appropriate action. Subsequently, the police registered a case against Gopalakrishnan under Section 192 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (wantonly giving provocation with intent to cause riot) and Section 125 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, which deals with promoting enmity on religious grounds.
Despite the legal case, Gopalakrishnan has continued his campaign, invoking the Guruvayur temple and reiterating statements critics describe as “polarising.” When questioned by the media about campaigning along religious lines, he stood by his remarks and said he would continue to repeat them.
On March 27, the Kerala High Court directed the Election Commission to consider a representation filed against Gopalakrishnan in connection with the incident. The petition was submitted by Kerala Students’ Union (KSU) leader Gokul Guruvayoor.
Reacting to the controversy, LDF candidate N. K. Akbar told reporters that the BJP was resorting to such tactics after facing criticism over issues such as LPG shortages in the country. UDF candidate P. M. Sadiqali also criticised the campaign, alleging that the BJP was attempting to sow communal divisions ahead of the elections. “But they will not succeed here or in Kerala,” he said.