Thrissur: Union Minister of State and BJP MP Suresh Gopi received an enthusiastic reception from party workers on Wednesday as he arrived at Thrissur railway station, despite ongoing allegations of irregularities in the constituency’s voter rolls.

This marked his first public visit to Thrissur since July 17, a gap that prompted some local political groups to file a police complaint alleging he was "missing".

The minister arrived in Thiruvananthapuram from Delhi at around 2:30 am, briefly visited his residence, and then boarded the Vande Bharat Express at 5:15 am en route to Thrissur.

Did Suresh Gopi respond to the voter list allegations?

Despite multiple attempts by journalists at both the airport and railway station, the actor-turned-politician declined to comment on the controversy surrounding alleged voter list manipulation. Accusations have been raised by both the CPI(M)-led Left and the Congress-led UDF alliances.

The minister left the station in his official vehicle without addressing the media, continuing his silence on the matter.

What has sparked tensions in Thrissur?

Suresh Gopi’s first stop upon arriving in Thrissur was Ashwini Hospital, where BJP workers are receiving treatment following clashes with police on Tuesday night. “Thanks for the help that you give,” said the MoS with folded hands as he exited the hospital.

The violence reportedly broke out after police intervened in a BJP protest march headed toward the CPI(M) office, which BJP supporters staged in retaliation for an earlier act of vandalism.

According to BJP leaders, CPI(M) workers allegedly defaced the MP’s office name board with black oil and hung a garland of slippers on it – a major symbolic insult in Indian political culture.

Suresh Gopi was also scheduled to inspect the vandalised BJP office later in the day.

What is the BJP's stand on the voter list controversy?

The BJP leadership has denied any wrongdoing and dismissed the accusations as politically motivated attacks. The party has announced statewide protests in response.

BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar defended the party and took aim at the ruling Pinarayi Vijayan-led state government. “There is a defined process to address discrepancies in the voter list, either through the courts or the Election Commission,” Chandrasekhar said. “Instead, lies are being spread to mislead the public.”

With elections looming, the political climate in Thrissur remains tense. The exchange of accusations between rival parties is expected to intensify in the coming weeks, particularly as BJP ramps up its campaigning in the region.

With IANS inputs