Suresh Gopi’s LS victory a product of organised vote theft, says Prathapan

Congress leader T.N. Prathapan has alleged that Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi’s victory in the Thrissur Lok Sabha polls was the result of “organised vote theft” carried out by the BJP machinery. He demanded that the actor-turned-politician resign immediately from the Lok Sabha.

Mr. Prathapan was interacting with mediapersons on Monday after giving statement to the Thrissur Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) on his complaint against Mr. Gopi. According to the complaint, Mr. Gopi and his family had enrolled themselves as voters in Thrissur just before the last Lok Sabha elections using “fraudulent documents” to prove permanent residency. “This was part of a coordinated plan by the BJP to add fake votes across the constituency,” he alleged.

The Congress leader claimed that he had already provided the police with documentary evidence of bogus registration, which had earlier been flagged by the UDF election committee, but was ignored by officials. “The police are now convinced of the irregularities. I am confident a case will be registered against Mr. Gopi,” he said. “Instead of addressing the allegations, Mr. Gopi insults those who expose voter fraud,” Mr. Prathapan added.

BJP reaction

Meanwhile, BJP State vice-president K.K. Anish Kumar on Monday countered the allegations against Mr. Gopi, claiming that it was in fact the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] that is engaging in large-scale manipulation of the voters’ list for the local body elections.

“Wherever there is a rented house, the CPI(M) is adding fake voters. Even the niece of Mr. Prathapan has her name listed in two wards. To cover this up, the LDF and the UDF are trying to tarnish Mr. Gopi’s victory,” Mr. Anish Kumar alleged.