Overview
- Speaking at a public interaction on September 30, the Union minister claimed that even people dead for 25 years were recorded as voting in Kerala, citing earlier media reports.
- He made the claim in the context of Thrissur, where Congress and Left leaders had raised concerns about an unusual surge in registrations before the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
- He denied lobbying for Tamil Nadu to receive an AIIMS instead of Kerala and said he would resign if anyone proves he pushed Tamil Nadu’s case.
- He said Amit Shah had assured a Centre for Forensic Sciences in Thrissur and accused the Kerala government of pushing for Thiruvananthapuram, adding that he mentioned Tamil Nadu as an alternative if Kerala resisted.
- He portrayed himself as the target of a political witchhunt, pointing to accusations over a copper offering at a shrine and alleged disruptions to Thrissur Pooram, while describing his Thrissur win as an act of divine support.