Kummanam is back, takes on poll officer against Sabarimala gag order

Thiruvananthapuram: Former party chief Kummanam Rajasekharan's arrival in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday may spur Kerala's BJP into action just ahead of the Lok Sabha election. Resigning from his post as Mizroram governor last week, Rajasekharan ended speculations over who will be the BJP candidate to contest from the state's capital.

Immediately on his arrival, he lashed against Teeka Ram Meena, the chief electoral officer, who had warned political parties against using the recent Sabarimala row in their election campaigns. Rajasekharan mentioned that it was unwarranted from the officer and goes against the freedom of speech that the Indian democracy grants its citizens. He said that he would be very remiss to not talk about the issue which holds much prominence in the upcoming election. He also added that a complaint will be sent to the chief election commissioner on the same.

K. Surendran, the party's state secretary, had also come out strongly against the chief electoral officer after his press conference. The code of conduct which Meena put into effect prohibits the use of the Sabarimala topic and speaking against the Supreme Court verdicts. So is invoking religious sentiments of any kind.

Rajasekharan's return was in the making as the Sabarimala row unfolded and BJP state party found itself on a warpath with the LDF government who were in power. Several members of the Sangh Parivar were of the opinion then that had Rajasekharan be in command of the party still, BJP would not have lost their ground. Even the party's central leadership had expressed their displeasure at how their local unit handled the contentious Sabarimala issue.

Rajashekhan will most likely contest against Shashi Tharoor who is eyeing a hat-trick of wins. Tharoor could only manage to scrape through in 2014. With Rajasekharan in the fray the scales may tip in BJP's favour, especially now against the backdrop of the Sabarimala row.