In a rather macabre tactic to enlist votes, the Bharatiya Janata Party sent out a letter from a deceased BJP councillor to voters in the Thevally ward of Kollam district in Kerala, which saw a by-election on Wednesday.
The News Minute reported today that the BJP sent out a letter from Kokila S Kumar, its 23-year-old councilor, who died in September. Her mother B Shailaja, who had worked with the BJP for the past 25 years, was chosen to contest the vacant post.
The News Minute carried a translation of the letter, written in first person, bearing the deceased woman's name, which reads, "I could not complete the five-year term you gifted me to serve you. The love you showered on me is indeed a great recognition for me. Even though you bid me farewell with a heavy heart on Thiruvonam, I have realized that I cannot part with you."
"I want to ask you for something....I cannot do so in person. Please give all the support you can to my mother Shailaja. I request you to do so. I shall not ask anything more from you. I end this letter with the hope that all of you will fulfill my wish," it reads.
Party district vice-president Advocate Gopan told The News Minute: "What was wrong in that?" Kokila's mother said, "I have done this for my party. I do not find anything wrong with it. My own daughter is seeking votes for me. What's wrong in that? She was my daughter. This is my right. No one can raise an objection."
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