Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday dismissed a petition challenging Bharatiya Janata Party MP Suresh Gopi’s victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha election from Thrissur, according to Bar and Bench.
The petition was filed by Independent candidate Joshi Villadom, who alleged that Gopi engaged in corrupt practices during the election, including bribery, promoting enmity between groups and making religious appeals to solicit votes.
A separate election petition against Gopi remains pending before the High Court. On April 1, the court held as maintainable a plea filed by Binoy AS, an All India Youth Federation leader and a voter from Thrissur, seeking to have Gopi’s election declared void under the Representation of the People Act.
Similar to Villadom’s claims, Binoy AS alleged that Gopi, along with his election agent and associates, indulged in corrupt practices such as invoking religious sentiments, using religious imagery in campaign materials and promising monetary or other benefits to influence voters.
The petition cited campaign materials, including flex boards depicting Gopi alongside Hindu deities Krishna and Radha, as well as the Ram Temple in Ayodhya, with messaging invoking religious appeals. It also referred to speeches by Bharatiya Janata Party leaders allegedly urging voters to make electoral choices based on religious considerations.
Justice Kauser Edappagath had earlier rejected Gopi’s preliminary objections seeking dismissal of the petition, ruling that they “must fail” and that the election petition “is not liable to be dismissed” at the outset.