Although a BJP leader has called for a meeting to discuss rampant political violence between RSS/BJP-Left parties in the state, a slugfest has ensued between the right and the left.
BJP leader PP Mukundan has urged Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to initiate steps to put an end to political violence.
Mukundan said: “Mr. Vijayan should keep in mind that he is the Chief Minister of the State and not the party secretary. He should summon an all-party meeting just as his predecessors had done during their tenures.”
Claiming that the BJP and RSS have been on the receiving end of flak over political violence, he said that it is high time political parties raised the issue. In what may be seen as an attempt to escalate the political rivalry between BJP-CPI(M) to an “all party” issue, he added, “even the Congress and the IUML are not spared.”
Claiming that his own party had always been the torch-bearer of political harmony, P Jayarajan, Kannur district secretary of CPI(M) said the RSS was solely responsible for political violence.
Calling the RSS members as “members of quotation group”, Jayarajan told The News Minute, “There is absolutely no need to call for an all-party meeting to discuss political violence. RSS and BJP members are themselves responsible for these violence and it would only end if they chose to do so.”
Asked about the allegations against CPI(M) workers over the murder of a BJP member in Thrissur in May, he was quick to deny it. He pointed out that a CPI(M) worker had been killed allegedly by BJP workers at a celebration rally in Pinarayi after the declaration of poll results.
The BJP too blamed the CPI(M) while absolving itself of any violent acts. Former state BJP president V Muraleedharan said: “We are ready for peaceful talks. Every person should have the freedom to believe in one's own ideology. But the main problem in Kannur is that some don't let others work with a different political party.”
Echoing Mukundana’s remarks, Muaraleedharan said that the BJP had been calling for talks for the past few years. “But they should initiate it first, since they are the bigger party in Kerala.”
Kannur district president Sathyaprakash said that there had been meetings in the past but to no avail. “We’ve had meetings in the past, but they’ve attacked us even after that. Such a thing should not happen.”
He said that the CPI(M) was worried about the BJP’s growth in Kannur. “That is why they unleash violence. On his last day, BJP chief Kummanam had publicly said that there was need for an all-party meeting. We wish for a peaceful environment in district.”