Kasaragod: The LDF has filed a complaint with the district collector against Kasaragod UDF candidate Rajmohan Unnithan for violating the model code of conduct. The complaint states that the speech made by Unnithan at Payyanur on April 8 violated the model code of conduct and created a communal divide in society.

LDF Kasargod constituency Secretary TV Rajesh MLA forwarded the complaint to the chief electoral officer Dr Sajith Babu. According to the complaint, Unnithan demeaned the Supreme Court verdict of September 28 on Sabarimala.  Women of all ages should be allowed in Kerala's renowned Sabarimala temple, the Supreme Court had ordered, ending the age-old ban

Rajesh also submitted a video clip of Unnithan's speech with the complaint. He demanded that action be taken against Unnithan for violating the model code of conduct. The district collector has handed over the complaint to Election Screening Committee.

Teeka Ram Meena on March 11 had said that proper guidelines would be given to the parties in the state for the upcoming Lok Sabha election. “The issue of women entry in Sabarimala cannot be used for the election campaign and it would be a violation of the code of conduct,” Meena said.

Weeks later, chief electoral officer Teeka Ram Meena has accused NDA candidate Suresh Gopi from Thrissur of violating the model code of conduct. He had earlier stated that the issue of women entering the Sabarimala shrine could not be used during election campaigns.

“Suresh Gopi, the NDA candidate of Thrissur has asked for votes in the name of Lord Ayyappa and has violated the model code of conduct,” said Meena.

Earlier, district collector, Thrissur, TV Anupama, had submitted a report to the chief electoral officer of Kerala, stating that she found Suresh Gopi prima facie guilty of having violated the model of conduct by allegedly using religious motifs to garner votes.

Regarding this Gopi has reportedly said that he was seeking votes in the backdrop of Sabarimala, but was adamant that he had not violated the model code of conduct "My Ayyan (lord Ayyappa), our Ayyan, if our Ayyan is an emotion for us, this brutal government will be given a befitting reply by the people of Kerala," Gopi was seen saying in a video.