Suresh Gopi arrives in Thrissur amid voter list controversy, declines media questions
BJP workers arranged a grand reception at the Thrissur railway station, where tight security was arranged. Mr. Gopi will visit BJP workers, who were injured during the BJP-CPI(M) clash on Tuesday night.
This is the first time Mr. Gopi is reaching Thrissur after the voters' list controversy. Mr. Gopi has not responded to the allegations so far. The BJP has been hitting back against the allegations, questioning why objections were not raised earlier. Mr. Gopi, who used to keep a close contact with the Church leaders, has not responded to the alleged attacks on clergy from Kerala in Chhattisgarh and Odisha too.
Thrissur witnessed protests and counter-protests over the voters' list fraud row on Tuesday evening. Initially, CPI(M) workers took out a protest march to the office of Union Minister Suresh Gopi in Thrissur. Demonstrators poured black oil on the office signboard. The police later arrested the CPI(M) activist, who poured the oil.
Tension prevailed in the city as the BJP workers, who had taken out a march to the CPI(M) office, clashed with the CPI(M) workers. Both workers pelted stone at each other. Some of the BJP activists suffered minor injuries.
BJP plans protests
The BJP is planning widespread protests against attack on the MP's office and on their workers. BJP district committee, led by the party's former State president K. Surendran and State general secretary Shobha Surendran, is set to take out a march to the Thrisssur Commissioner's office at 10.30 a.m.
Meanwhile, the Thrissur ACP has been assigned to lead the investigation in a complaint filed by KPCC Political Affairs Committee member and former MP T.N. Prathapan over Mr. Gopi's voter registration in Thrissur.
On Tuesday, Mr. Prathapan lodged a complaint with the Thrissur City Police Commissioner, alleging that Mr. Gopi illegally transferred his vote from Thiruvananthapuram to Thrissur just before the 2024 General Elections.
He added that Mr. Gopi falsely testified to the Election Commission that he and his family members had completed the mandatory six-month period of residency in Thrissur for being included in the voters' list. Mr. Prathapan had sent complaints to the Chief Election Commissioner and the Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala.
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