Kerala polls: IUML leader Bava Haji booked for promising foreign trip to booth workers to secure votes

KOCHI: An FIR has been filed against IUML leader Bava Haji for allegedly offering a foreign trip to members of a booth committee where the UDF candidate secures the highest number of votes in the Thavanur constituency, police said on Sunday. The case has been filed against IUML state vice-president Bava Haji of Mangalam in Malappuram. According to police, the alleged announcement was made during a convention held on March 22 while campaigning for Congress leader V S Joy. Haji reportedly offered a 15-day trip to the UAE for members of the UDF booth committee that secures the highest number of votes. The issue was first raised with the Election Commission by representatives of the LDF. After examining the matter, the Commission found the offer to be in violation of the Model Code of Conduct, police said. Acting on the Commission’s direction, Tirur police registered a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Representation of the People Act, officials added. Police said Haji will be called for questioning as part of the probe. Officials also said they have obtained video footage of the convention where the IUML leader allegedly made the announcement. In Thavanur, V S Joy is contesting against LDF-backed independent K T Jaleel, while the BJP has fielded Ravi Thelath.