BJP candidate’s ‘We need Hindu MLA’ remark triggers row in Kerala

The Congress-linked student body Kerala Students Union has moved the Kerala High Court over alleged communal remarks made by BJP-led NDA candidate B. Gopalakrishnan during election campaigning in Guruvayur.

According to KSU, Gopalakrishnan had claimed in a video that despite Hindus making up nearly 48% of the constituency’s population, Guruvayur had not elected a Hindu MLA for close to five decades. He was also alleged to have said that both the Left and Congress-led alliances had avoided fielding candidates from the Hindu community.

The BJP leader reportedly described Guruvayur—a major pilgrimage centre associated with Lord Guruvayurappan—as being under the control of “temple thieves” for around 50 years, while questioning the absence of a Hindu MLA. He was further accused of suggesting that, outside reserved constituencies, Hindu candidates were largely absent in Malappuram.

KSU said it had also filed complaints with the police and election authorities over the speech. Its Thrissur district president, Gokul Guruvayoor, stated in a Facebook post that a writ petition had been submitted before the High Court seeking action, including the candidate’s disqualification.

He added that representations had been made to the district collector, police chief, state election officials and the Guruvayur ACP, alleging that the remarks were intended to create communal divisions and influence voters, Maktoob Media reported.

Meanwhile, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader C. Sumesh said in a statement that the remarks were aimed at undermining the electoral process and violating the model code of conduct. He also asserted that the BJP had played no role in Guruvayur’s development, claiming that key projects such as the flyover and a government guest house were implemented by the state government through KIIFB.

The CPI(M) further indicated that the statements, which it said breached the expected decorum of a candidate, would not be accepted by the electorate.

In a related development, the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas), an NDA ally, called for Gopalakrishnan to be removed as the party’s candidate from Guruvayur. State general secretary Dileep Vazhappilly said the party disagreed with the remarks and demanded an apology, warning that it would stay away from campaigning if one was not issued.

However, Gopalakrishnan has stood by his statements. In subsequent remarks, he reiterated that it was a fact, in his view, that Guruvayur had not elected a Hindu MLA in 50 years. He also reportedly made another controversial claim about the sitting MLA’s views on lighting lamps and maintained that he would continue raising issues concerning Hindus as the campaign progresses.