Plea challenging Union minister Suresh Gopi’s election maintainable: Kerala HC

Kochi: Kerala high court on Wednesday held that the petition challenging the election of Union minister Suresh Gopi as a Member of Parliament from Thrissur constituency in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections is maintainable.A bench of Justice Kauser Edappagath passed the order while considering an interlocutory application (IA) filed by Gopi, who had sought a declaration that the election petition filed by A S Binoy, a voter from the Thrissur constituency, was not maintainable by raising preliminary objections. While disposing of the IA, the single bench struck down one of the allegations of corrupt practice against Gopi, which related to the distribution of shade umbrellas in a vegetable market and other public places in the Thrissur parliamentary constituency. However, the court held that he would face trial on the remaining allegations of corrupt practices raised in the election petition. Accordingly, the court adjourned the matter for further hearing.In his petition, Binoy, who is also a leader of AIYF, alleged that Gopi and his associates, including his election agent, engaged in corrupt practices throughout the election campaign. He claimed that Gopi and his team used religious symbols to solicit votes during polling on April 26, 2024. Additionally, the petitioner referred to certain incidents in which Gopi's campaign allegedly promised pensions and medical care to voters. Binoy has sought a declaration that Suresh Gopi's election from the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency be declared void.