Kerala elections: Fresh row in Guruvayur as BJP candidate B. Gopalakrishnan faces backlash over flex board on past MLAs

BJP candidate B. Gopalakrishnan faces backlash in Guruvayur for controversial flex highlighting past MLAs and “Hindu MLA” remarks.

A fresh political controversy has erupted in Guruvayur in Kerala after the NDA candidate B. Gopalakrishnan put up a flex board highlighting the constituency’s electoral history, days after his “Hindu MLA” remark triggered sharp backlash.

The flex, installed at a busy junction in the constituency at Chavakkad, lists all MLAs elected from Guruvayur from 1977 to 2021, along with their election years. It carries a pointed message: “This must change — vote for Gopalakrishnan for change.”

The display has widely been seen as an attempt to foreground the community background of past representatives. However, Mr. Gopalakrishnan dismissed the criticism. “It is the political history of the constituency. It is the responsibility of a candidate to present that history,” he said.

The move comes close on the heels of a police case against him over alleged communal remarks made during the campaign. In a video, he had reportedly claimed that Guruvayur had not elected a “Hindu MLA” for nearly five decades and accused both the ruling LDF and the Congress-led UDF of fielding candidates only from a particular community.

Following a complaint by the Returning Officer, the Guruvayur police registered a case. The remarks had triggered strong reactions, with both the CPI(M) and the Congress approaching the Election Commission of India (ECI) seeking action.

The Kerala High Court, while disposing of a petition on March 27, directed the ECI to consider and act on the complaint within two months. The ECI has since sought a report from the District Collector and initiated steps in the matter.