Kerala assembly polls: EC asks for report on ‘love jihad’ speech by BJP’s P K Krishnadas

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Election Commission (EC) sought a report from the district administration over the controversial speech by BJP leader P K Krishnadas during an election rally at Kattakkada, where he is NDA's candidate. EC sought a report from the district collector and also obtained legal advice on the matter.

At an election rally inaugurated by Union home minister Amit Shah, he alleged that LDF and UDF were working hand in glove with SDPI and Jamat-e-Islami (JEI) and that votes in favour of either front would lead to widespread incidents of ‘Love Jihad'. Krishnadas further alleged that JEI or SDPI would control the govt if UDF or LDF came to power.

Krishnadas alleged that pro-Pakistan extremist organizations would promote ‘Love Jihad'. "Hindu and Christian girls would be trapped in Love Jihad. These elements would then use them for anti-national activities," he alleged, adding that an electoral victory for LDF or UDF would put Kerala in trouble.

Krishnadas made these allegations while trying to prove his point that CPM and Congress were one and the same. "Votes cast in favour of Congress or CPM would trigger Love Jihad. Such a dangerous situation is likely to emerge in Kerala. Voters should think whether there should be such a situation," he alleged.

But, BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said the party did not subscribe to the fears expressed by Krishnadas. He said the concerns and promises of BJP were included in the election manifesto, which he said the party took over 4.5 months to prepare.

Meanwhile, Union minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan alleged at a rally in Palakkad for BJP candidate Sobha Surendran that if Congress won assembly polls, there would be celebrations in Pakistan with JEI support and if BJP won, crackers would be burst in farmlands.

"You will not find a leader like Modi and you will not get an MLA like Sobha. In the past 70 years, LDF and UDF destroyed Kerala. Every section of our society is affected. LDF and UDF are the same. People will vote for BJP to ensure development and a secure Kerala. NDA govt will be formed in Kerala," he said..