Voter Fraud Allegations Emerge in Thrissur Election

Kerala General Education Minister V Sivankutty has called for a re-election in the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency, alleging widespread voter list manipulation in the 2024 general election. The BJP secured a major victory in the constituency, with actor-turned-politician Suresh Gopi, now Union Minister of State for Petroleum and Tourism, winning by over 74,000 votes against CPI’s V S Sunil Kumar and Congress’ K Muraleedharan in a tight three-way race.

Sivankutty, a senior CPI(M) leader, claimed that media reports and even some BJP members opposed to Gopi suggest that 30,000 to 60,000 votes were illicitly added to the electoral roll. He cited instances of eight to 15 additional votes registered in several apartments across the district. “The Election Commission must order a re-election with a fair and accurate voter list,” Sivankutty demanded.

The minister sharply criticized Gopi for his silence on the allegations, suggesting it stems from an inability to address the issue truthfully. “Gopi is avoiding the media and the public. His victory was built on manipulated voter lists and massive spending,” Sivankutty alleged, urging Gopi to resign as Thrissur MP and face a fresh election.

Also Read: Siddaramaiah Aligns with Rahul on Allegations of Election Fraud

The controversy intensified after CPI leader V S Sunil Kumar, the defeated candidate, vowed to take the matter to court with evidence of the BJP’s alleged voter list tampering to secure Gopi’s win. The BJP has not yet responded to these accusations, leaving the Thrissur constituency embroiled in a growing political storm.

Also Read: Opposition Stages ‘T-Shirt Protest’ in Parliament Over SIR, ‘Vote Chori’