Kollam MLA and actor Mukesh spoke to the media after casting his vote at Pattathanam School on Tuesday. Reflecting on the campaign, he said this election felt similar to the previous one, with people showing strong receptiveness to the Left’s welfare measures.

“There is a similarity between the last election and this one. People were very receptive during the campaign. They were happy about their pensions and other welfare schemes. If there is no development, people will react. That is paramount over all other issues,” he said.

Mukesh declined to comment on the acquittal of actor Dileep in the 2017 actress assault case, stating that he had not yet read the verdict. “I will not comment on the matter without reading the court order. I can determine his involvement only after looking at the document. I am not holding any position in AMMA. I am just a member,” he said.

When asked whether he was disappointed with the verdict, Mukesh smiled and responded with a jibe at the media. “Now you will interpret my smile as a hesitated stutter. This is the only place that will interpret a smile as ba, ba, ba,” he said.

“No innocent man should be convicted,” he added. The actor-turned-politician also said that if the government decided to appeal the verdict, he would respect that decision.

Mukesh also criticised journalists who questioned the condition of the roads leading to his house. “This is not my constituency. Please check the roads in my constituency,” he said.