Thiruvananthapuram: Days after the Election Commission in Kerala warned parties to refrain from using the Sabarimala issue in the campaigns as it would go against the model code of conduct, the BJP yesterday criticised this directive issued by the Kerala Chief Electoral Officer Teeka Ram Meena.
BJP and Congress leaders have opposed the directive that was issued on Monday. The BJP has said it would approach the Chief Election Commissioner on the issue. Speaking to reporters, BJP national general secretary Muralidhar Rao said that Sabarimala was a Constitutional issue and not just a matter of religion. It was the issue of the public and related to human rights and fundamental rights.
Rao was taking part in an event organised by the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) when he said this. When he was pointed out that Ayodhya and Babri Masjid issues were mentioned by leaders during elections, Rao said it was part of public discourse and that it was not one political party which was talking about it. Every party has its own perspective and even the public was participating in the discussions and that is called democracy, he added.
Speaking at another event, Rao said his party was not claiming that it would solve the Sabarimala issue; however, it has issued a statement that review petition should be filed saying that these are logics of the believers. “Once you give a chance to discuss, argue and hearing, then, definitely the problem will get resolved…and we have faith in the Supreme Court’s jurisprudence,” he said.
He alleged that CPI(M)-led LDF government in Kerala had not gone for a review petition on the 28 September 2018 verdict, which permitted women of all age groups into the Ayyappa shrine.