The Aryavarth Express
Agency(Kerala): On the eve of the Lok Sabha elections in Kerala, V D Satheesan, the Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, has called upon the Election Commission to investigate Delhi’s Lieutenant Governor, Vinai Kumar Saxena, for purported violations of the electoral model code of conduct.
According to Satheesan, the Lieutenant Governor allegedly engaged in meetings with several church leaders in Kerala to influence them to support the BJP. These allegations were made as Saxena embarked on a two-day visit to the state, during which he sought meetings with prominent religious figures including leaders from the Syro Malabar Church, Jacobite Syrian Orthodox Church, and Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church. Reports suggest that some church leaders declined these meetings.
The complaint highlights concerns over the constitutional role of the Lieutenant Governor, who is expected to remain apolitical, but is accused of engaging in political activities aimed at swaying the upcoming election in favor of the BJP. This has been described by Satheesan as a significant affront to democratic principles.
In his letter to the Election Commission, Satheesan urged for immediate and decisive actions to be taken against Saxena to uphold the integrity of the electoral process. The request emphasizes the need for a strict adherence to the model code of conduct to ensure a fair and unbiased election.