Fresh clashes between RSS-CPI(M) in Kerala after Yechury heckled in Delhi
The heckling of CPI(M) general secretary Sitaram Yechury in New Delhi two days ago has set off a series of political clashes between CPI(M) and RSS workers in many parts of Kerala. At least two dozen party offices and houses were attacked in the last two days.
The acrimonious relations between the two were taken to a worse turn with tit-for-tat clashes and counter clashes in different parts of the state. Bombs were thrown at the BJP district office in Thiruvananthapuram two days ago and CPI(M) district office in Kozhikode was attacked a day after in a similar way.
Several houses of party workers were also targeted in the violence. The worst hit north Kerala’s Kozhikode has been observing a shutdown for last two days. BJP state secretary VK Sajeevan’s house was attacked in Vatakara on Friday.
As usual blame game has begun with both accusing each other of beginning the fresh bout of violence. While the CPI(M) claimed that it was orchestrated by Sangh Parivar outfits deliberately after BJP president Amit Shah’s three-day visit to the state but the BJP said Marxists let loose a series of attacks against party workers and offices citing the heckling of Yechury in Delhi. Leaders of both admit that they were finding difficult to control their belligerent cadres.
“Wherever Amit Shah went violence followed, it is his style. We see a larger conspiracy to trigger violence to get a foothold. But his designs will not succeed in Kerala,” said CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. The BJP president had visited the state last week. “CPI(M) workers are targeting our offices citing minor incident in Delhi,” said BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan. Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis told his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday to discuss political killings in the state rather than shedding tears about the new notification on cattle sale.