An Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) activist has been booked for allegedly making false and objectionable remarks against CPI(M) leader and Vadakara Lok Sabha seat candidate KK Shailaja through social media. Amid widespread criticism of intense cyber attack against Shailaja, New Mahi police registered a case against Aslam, IUML functionary, on Tuesday.
In the upcoming elections, IUML is part of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). The former Health Minister Shailaja is contesting for the Vadakara Lok Sabha seat against Congress' Shafi Parambil and the BJP's Praful Krishna. The contest also marks one of the direct fight between I.N.D.I.A bloc candidates in Kerala.
Recently, the ruling CPI(M) has accused that objectionable campaign was carried out with the knowledge of the UDF candidate. However, UDF denied the charges.
"We registered a case on our own against the accused the other day under Section 153 of the IPC and 120 (O) of the Kerala Police Act," a police officer said, as per a report on PTI.
An ongoing investigation is underway, and further actions will be taken soon, he stated.
Meanwhile, campaigning in the Vadakara constituency has been overshadowed by allegations of cyber attacks and concerns regarding fraudulent voting ahead of the April 26 polls, where two incumbent MLAs and debutant MP candidates, Shailaja and Parambil, are vying for victory.
The CPI (M) claimed that the UDF has launched a malicious cyber attack against KK Shailaja while the Congress has approached the Kerala High Court seeking measures to prevent bogus voting in Vadakara during the Lok Sabha elections.
The CPI(M) has lodged a complaint with the Election Commission against Parambil, accusing him of being complicit in a cyber attack and orchestrating fake campaigns through photo manipulation and edited conversations.