The Left Democratic Front (LDF) lodged a complaint with the Election Commission on March 27 against the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and its candidate in Vadakara, Shafi Parambil, for alleged abusive remarks on social media against the LDF candidate, KK Shailaja. The complaint alleged that a morphed photo of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and KK Shailaja was posted on a Facebook group called ‘Troll Republic TR’ in a ‘vulgar manner’ on March 25.
The complaint filed by Valsalan Panoli, LDF’s Vadakara Parliament Election committee secretary, said, “The UDF candidates, their party members and their political sympathisers are widely violating the election code of conduct through Facebook groups and other social media platforms. They are accelerating highly derogatory and abusive comments to tarnish the image of the LDF candidate.”
Calling it “abusive, vulgar and sexually coloured remarks,” Valsan demanded action against Shafi and the people who were responsible for posting it.
UDF denied the ‘personal abusive remarks against the candidate’ and said they only mentioned allegations of corruption against the LDF government and Shailaja, in connection with the procurement of PPE kits at high cost during the COVID-19 pandemic. The UDF said they would continue mentioning PPE kit corruption in campaign speeches.
Vadakara will witness a fight between two legislators, as Shafi Parambil is an MLA from Palakkad Assembly constituency and Shailaja is an MLA from Mattannur Assembly constituency.
The sitting MP of Vadakara, K Muraleedharan from UDF, is contesting from Thrissur. The popularity of Shailaja among the voters is expected to make a significant impact in the election.
Shailaja gained recognition for her work as a health minister during the Nipah period and the COVID-19 period. Vadakara’s MLA KK Rema from the Revolutionary Marxist Party of India has thrown her weight behind Shafi.