Perambra (Kerala), April 3 (NationPress) The dispute surrounding an alleged communal campaign announcement in Perambra escalated on Friday, as CPI-M-led LDF candidate T.P. Ramakrishnan firmly stated that he has not received any notice from the Election Commission following a complaint lodged by the UDF.

After unveiling the LDF’s constituency manifesto, Ramakrishnan expressed that no official communication had arrived from the Returning Officer.

He dismissed the claims as attempts to disrupt the "peaceful atmosphere" in Perambra and emphasized that the campaign materials, including the pen drive used for announcements, were available for examination.

"I welcome an inquiry. I will provide a detailed response afterward," he stated, while expressing annoyance at what he described as a "hasty blame" directed at the LDF.

"If a notice is issued, we will respond accordingly; there is no need to chase after whether it has been received or not," a frustrated Ramakrishnan remarked.

The controversy arises from an audio announcement purportedly used in campaign vehicles, which the UDF claims aimed to incite communal sentiments.

The message allegedly indicated that Indian Union Muslim League workers were soliciting votes along community lines, calling for support for "a candidate from our community".

UDF candidate Fathima Thahliya has accused the LDF of attempting to polarize voters by targeting a specific community.

In response to the complaint, the Kozhikode Deputy Collector issued a notice citing a prima facie violation of the Model Code of Conduct.

Election officials have indicated that any further action will depend on the candidate’s explanation.

However, Ramakrishnan’s assertion of not having received any notice has added a new layer of complexity to the situation.

The UDF has presented documentary evidence, including the campaign vehicle’s registration details, audio clips, and permission records, alleging that the announcement was recorded at a studio in Naduvannur and featured the voice of a CPI-M leader.

This matter reportedly came to light after a local resident tracked the vehicle and gathered evidence.

Initially, the CPI-M distanced itself from the vehicle but has since faced pressure as documents link it to the campaign.

The opposition has drawn comparisons to earlier controversies, suggesting a pattern of communal messaging amid increasing electoral pressure.

With the UDF highlighting recent electoral victories in the constituency, including a significant Lok Sabha lead and local body wins, political analysts see the rising dispute as a critical point in an intensifying contest, with both factions solidifying their stances ahead of voting.

Responding to the backlash, IUML supremo Panakkad Sayyid Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal expressed that the current situation is regrettable, as elections will soon conclude, and fostering such sentiments is detrimental.