Jaitley hits out at Kerala govt over RSS man’s killing

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union finance minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday asked the CPI(M)-led state government to take immediate steps to end ‘the politics of annihilation’ and allow the opposition to function freely.

Addressing journalists after visiting the house of RSS leader E Rajesh, who was hacked to death allegedly by CPI(M) workers last week, he said the way political opponents were executed would put even terrorists to shame.

The RSS has demanded to the imposition of President’s rule in the state.“I am deeply concerned about the kind of environment prevailing in the state. Political opponents are done away with in a brutal manner. The kind of wounds inflicted on victim Rajesh will embarrass even terrorists,” Jaitley said.

He said if similar violence had occurred in an NDA-ruled state, awards would have been returned and vigorous nationwide campaigns launched.

“There can’t be double standard on incidents of this magnitude,” he said. “Political will and determination by the state government needed to discipline its own cadres rather than let them loose on political rivals,” he said. Meanwhile the ruling CPI(M) paraded family members of 21 workers who were allegedly killed in RSS attacks.

“If the minister is serious to end violence he should also visit the family members of those who lost lives and or injured in the RSS attack,” CPI (M) district secretary A Nagappan said. Jaitley said later that he has no problem in meeting them.

Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan has claimed vested interests were trying to destabilise an elected government.