Kerala: Yuva Morcha leader arrested for assaulting live-in partner; BJP expels him

Ernakulam: Following backlash from the party and media reports, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Cochin unit initiated disciplinary action against a Yuva Morcha district general secretary who was arrested for allegedly assaulting his live-in partner.

BJP district leaders confirmed that Gopu Paramasivan's membership has been cancelled following his arrest.

"We decided to take action against the Yuva Morcha leader as there was clear evidence against him. It was not the first time that a complaint was made against him. The party cannot suffer the misdeeds of its members or leaders who are into such acts”, said BJP leader Rajagopal.

Gopu, a native of Thevara, was arrested on Friday for allegedly assaulting his live-in partner at their rented house in Vyttila.

The incident came to light after he approached the police, claiming that his partner had been missing since Thursday. When police located her and recorded her statement, she revealed that she had been subjected to physical assault, including being whipped with an electrical wire.

He will no longer be associated with the BJP or the Yuva Morcha, the party’s youth wing, they said.

According to the police, the couple had been living together in a rented house at Vaikkilakara in Maradu since May 15, 2021. In her complaint, the woman said Gopu assaulted her in several ways, including slapping her, whipping her with an electric cable, and even attempting to murder her by suffocating her. She also said she was routinely harassed and prevented from leaving the house. She alleged that Gopu would lock her inside and had been physically abusive since 2021.

Gopu, who has been charged with attempted murder, was produced before the court and remanded in judicial custody.

Meanwhile, Liji, a woman member of the party, accused Gopu of levelling false allegations against her and insulting her with a casteist remark.