Kerala assembly elections: Campaign vehicle of UDF candidate vandalized in Thodupuzha

Thodupuzha: The election campaign vehicle of UDF candidate Apu John Joseph in Thodupuzha was vandalized. Campaign flex boards mounted on three vehicles were damaged. UDF has alleged that DYFI and SFI workers were behind the incident. The attack reportedly occurred around 10pm on Saturday. Meanwhile, Joseph continued campaigning on Sunday using the same vehicle with torn flex boards. The vehicle had been parked in front of a house at Mangattukavala after the day's campaign when a group of unidentified persons allegedly destroyed the materials. Police reached the scene following the vandalism. UDF workers staged a protest march to Thodupuzha police station on Saturday night. Leaders including Apu John Joseph, Idukki DCC president C P Mathew and IUML district president KMA Shukoor sat in protest in front of the station. The protest was called off after discussions with the deputy SP. The incident comes in the backdrop of tensions over the removal of campaign flex boards in Thodupuzha that allegedly violated green protocol norms. On Saturday night, a dispute broke out between LDF and NDA workers and members of the election enforcement squad during an inspection near Vengalloor-Mangattukavala road. Officials found that several flex boards being prepared for candidates did not comply with regulations, including the mandatory QR code and required approvals from the pollution control board and election commission.