As the BJP state council meeting took off on Wednesday in Kerala’s Kottayam district, criticism of CPI (M) and the LDF government in the state, dominated the proceedings.
Inaugurating the meeting in Town Hall, Union Urban Development Minister M Venkaiah Naidu warned CPI (M) of dire consequences, if the left party continues to unleash political violence on its rivals.
“In the eight months of the CPM rule, around 80 individuals have been murdered. I warn the CPM that you will get it back politically,” he was quoted as saying by media reports.
Cautioning the CPI (M) that “the whole country was watching the happenings in Kerala,” Naidu challenged the left party to fight it ideologically and not through violence.
“If you have guts fight us politically and ideologically. I want the CPM to know that things are changing. Red and blood won't succeed anymore. Lotus will bloom in Kerala. Today, the time has come to understand the philosophy of Modi, NDA and the BJP,” the leader said.
Citing the “degradation of political standards,” Naidu termed the CPI (M) and the Congress as two sides of the same coin. He came down heavily on both the parties, pointing out that while they were allies in Delhi, they continue to be political rivals in the southern state of Kerala. This, he alleged, has paved the way for anti-national forces.
The senior BJP leader saw a solution to this political crisis, only with the BJP becoming the single largest party in Kerala, thereby driving out the left parties and the Congress.
Much on the lines of public addresses of BJP leaders across the country, the issue of demonetisation also found mention in Naidu’s speech. He criticized the Communists and Congress party in Kerala, for being against Modi’s decision, while the rest of the country had “welcomed it”.
Earlier on Tuesday, BJP MP from Karnataka Nalin Kumar Kateel had also voiced similar criticism against the Communist party, even going to the extent of indicating that the party will resort to retaliatory attacks.
Other decisions
The BJP state council meeting was keenly observed for decisions on two key issues. One, will the state council seek an explanation from general secretary AN Radhakrishnan for his controversial remarks on Malayalam director Kamal? Two, is the state leadership happy with CK Padmanabhan's controversial remarks on Che Guevara?
Jaikrishnan Nair reports for The Times of India that the BJP has decided to extend an invitation for a cultural event to Malayalam author MT Vasudevan Nair and director Kamal, against whom, many party members had leveled allegations recently.
The event, it is being reported, will be part of a state-wide campaign against CPI (M), to he held in February.
MT told TOI: “I cannot tell about that now. Will take a decision about it then."