Kerala Election Row: Notices Issued to LDF and UDF Candidates Over Communal Audio Controversy
The returning officer in the Perambra assembly constituency in Kozhikode, Kerala, has issued formal notices to both the LDF and UDF candidates following a heated controversy surrounding a pre-recorded election announcement. The dispute centers on allegations of communal campaigning, with both sides accusing each other of violating the Model Code of Conduct.
UDF Candidate Alleges False Claims in LDF Announcement
UDF candidate Fathima Thahiliya of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has lodged a serious complaint against the LDF. She alleges that a pre-recorded announcement broadcast from an LDF campaign vehicle falsely claimed that the IUML is seeking votes by referring to her as "Kaumile Kutti" (belonging to Islam), which she argues is a deliberate attempt to inject communal undertones into the election.
Thahiliya provided video evidence of the vehicle making the announcement to support her complaint. In response, the LDF filed a counter-complaint against Thahiliya, accusing her of using communal language to solicit votes, thereby escalating the political tension in the constituency.
Returning Officer Takes Action with Formal Notices
The returning officer has issued notices to LDF candidate T P Ramakrishnan and UDF candidate Fathima Thahiliya, demanding explanations for the alleged violations. This move underscores the election authorities' commitment to maintaining decorum and preventing divisive campaigning practices.
Ramakrishnan confirmed that he has received the notice and stated that an explanation would be provided promptly. "You can listen to the announcements from our vehicles, and it is about development and people's welfare. We are not talking about other matters. The complaint is that matters other than that are being said. Let that complaint be examined. There are systems prevailing in Kerala to do that," he told the media, emphasizing his campaign's focus on substantive issues.
Thahiliya Claims Conspiracy and Cyberbullying
Meanwhile, Thahiliya revealed that she has not yet received the notice but learned about it through media reports. She asserted that the pre-recorded audio is part of a larger conspiracy, drawing parallels to previous controversies like the "Kafir screenshot" incident in Vadakara.
"Like the Kafir screenshot in Vadakara, there is no need to track down the origin of the audio since it is prima facie proved. It is pre-planned and intentional. Since we were able to make the people understand that, LDF has come up with a complaint against me as well to overcome it," Thahiliya explained, suggesting strategic maneuvering by her opponents.
She also highlighted ongoing challenges, stating that from the start of her campaign, she has faced cyberbullying and efforts to tarnish her image. "Now, they have turned to a communal announcement. They are trying to create communal polarisation here. No matter what, I don't intend to stop speaking about the lack of development in Perambra constituency," she added, vowing to continue addressing local issues despite the controversy.
LDF Denies Allegations and Points to False Campaigns
Ramakrishnan firmly denied the allegations, reiterating that his campaign has not engaged in any such communal campaigning. "You can listen to the announcements and our speeches. There are lots of false campaigns against us. For that, social media and some media are being used. But we are not worried about that," he said, attributing the controversy to misinformation spread through digital platforms.
The exchange of complaints and notices highlights the intense political rivalry in Perambra, with both candidates leveraging the incident to bolster their positions while accusing the other of unethical tactics. As the election approaches, this controversy is likely to remain a focal point, testing the efficacy of election oversight mechanisms in curbing divisive rhetoric.
