THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena visited Church heads in the state, Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan has approached the Central Election Commission seeking action against the former for trying "to garner votes for the BJP." The attempt was to lure them to take a stance in favour of the BJP, said Satheesan.
In a letter to the ECI on the eve of Lok Sabha polls in Kerala, VD Satheesan alleged 'blatant violation of the model code of conduct by the Delhi Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena by visiting various church heads in Kerala to lure them to take a stance in favor of the BJP in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections."
"It is learned that Delhi Lt Governor V K Saxena, who is on a two-day visit to Kerala, requested an audience with the heads of the Syro Malabar Church, Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church, and others. As per reports, leaders of some of the churches have declined to meet the Lieutenant Governor.
As you are aware, the governor is the constitutional head of the state and is restricted from involving in any political activity. However, the Delhi Lieutenant Governor visiting various church heads in Kerala just ahead of the Lok Sabha elections to garner votes for the BJP is a blot on democracy and its founding values," said Satheesan. The senior Congress leader urged the Election Commission to initiate urgent action on violation of model code of conduct by the Lieutenant Governor.