THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BJP state chief P S Sreedharan Pillai termed as ‘wrong’ on anybody seeking votes in the name of Lord Ayyappa. I don’t think Suresh Gopi, the NDA candidate of Thrissur, has invoked the name of Lord Ayyappa. The party will give an explanation to the notice of the collector, he said. There is nothing wrong in raising Sabarimala issue in the speech, he said.

Meantime, chief electoral officer Teeka Ram Meena said Suresh Gopi has breached the election code of conduct. Seeking votes in the name of God is breach of election code of conduct. There is no restriction in discussing the Sabarimala issue, he said. It is wrong to seek votes after worsening the feelings of the people in the name of Ayyappa. The district collector issued notice after convincing it, he told a private channel.

BJP spokesperson B Gopalarkrishan came down heavily on district collector T V Anupama for serving notice on the collector. He said Anupama is doing slavery job for Pinarayi Vijayan, he said.