After the Murder, Damage Control
CM Pinarayi Vijayan acts briskly to pre-empt political violence in the aftermath of attacks on the BJP, RSS
Kerala has been in turmoil since RSS activist Rajesh Edvakode was hacked to death in Thiruvananthapuram on July 29. Just three days earlier, the BJP’s state headquarters was attacked by a group allegedly led by a local CPI(M) councillor. With the BJP and RSS raising the issue nationally, the Pinarayi Vijayan government finds itself on the back foot. Governor P. Sathasivam summoned the chief minister and DGP Loknath Behera to his office and said steps must be taken to curb political violence.
Pinarayi had apparently received an intelligence alert a week ago that the BJP was plotting violent attacks in the state’s northern districts purportedly to divert attention from the medical college scam rocking Kerala. The office of state BJP chief Kummanam Rajasekharan faces allegations of involvement in the scam.
“Yes, there were intelligence reports that the BJP was going to unleash violence across the state to deflect attention from the medical college scam. We have alerted the police to take all possible measures,” Pinarayi informed the state assembly on August 7.
The chief minister confirmed receiving the intelligence tip-off to