Thrissur: Former MP T N Prathapan, also a member of the KPCC Political Affairs Committee, lodged a complaint with the Thrissur City Police Commissioner alleging that Union Minister Suresh Gopi’s voter transfer to Thrissur ahead of the Lok Sabha election was illegal and amounted to criminal conspiracy. The complaint claims that Suresh Gopi, a permanent resident of Thiruvananthapuram, submitted a false declaration to register his vote in Booth No: 115 of the Thrissur Assembly segment.

For decades, Suresh Gopi and his family have been permanent residents at house number 22/1788 in the Sasthamangalam division of the Thiruvananthapuram Assembly constituency. Even after becoming a Union Minister, their names remained unchanged in the voter list under the old address during the revision process.

It was just before the 2024 election that Suresh Gopi last voted in Booth No: 115. To be added to a voter list, one must submit a declaration affirming permanent residency. Using the same process, eleven individuals—including Suresh Gopi and his brother—were added under the same address in Thrissur. Prathapan has submitted complaints to both the Chief Electoral Officer of Kerala and the Chief Election Commissioner of India.

Minister Sivankutty demands re-election

In light of the complaints regarding voter irregularities, Kerala Minister V Sivankutty demanded that Union Minister Suresh Gopi break his silence. He further called for Gopi’s resignation and a re-election to be conducted.

Meanwhile, Minister R Bindu stated that the emerging information is clear evidence of the BJP’s willingness to use unethical methods to win elections.

RSS leader, wife listed as voters in both Thrissur and Alathur

In the recent Lok Sabha elections, an RSS leader and his family were found to have votes registered in two constituencies. Shaji Varavoor, Bharatheeya Vichara Kendram’s Thrissur regional secretary, was listed in the 2024 voter rolls for both Thrissur and Alathur constituencies. His wife also had votes registered in both locations. The addresses listed in each were different. Their votes were recorded in Booth No: 11 in Alathur and Booth No: 37 in Thrissur.

According to Shaji, when his wife moved to Thrissur for work, they rented a flat there and subsequently added her name to the voter list in Thrissur. However, her name was not removed from the Alathur list. He added that they cast their votes in Alathur.

I cast vote in Thrissur: BJP Malappuram leader

BJP leader from Malappuram V Unnikrishnan confirmed that he voted in Thrissur during the recent Lok Sabha elections. As the person in charge of the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency and the BJP's Thrissur district in-charge, he claimed he was residing in a rented house in the city for over one and a half years. “That is why the vote was transferred from Ponnani constituency to Thrissur,” he explained.

Meanwhile, BJP’s another state vice president B Gopalakrishnan announced plans to file a defamation suit against T N Prathapan.