BJP: CPM using politics of violence

Suggesting that the bomb attack at the BJP’s Thiruvananthapuram office was intended to target its state unit chief Kummanam Rajasek-haran, the party on Wednesday charged the ruling CPI(M)-led government of using “violence politics” against its opponents. Demanding an impartial enquiry into the incident, the BJP alleged that political violence has been steadily increasing since the CPI(M) came to power. This is “reflective of what has always happened under CPI(M) governments in the state”, the BJP said.

The incident occurred on Tuesday night, shortly after Mr Rajasekhran had left the office for Kozhikode, where preparations were on for the party’s three-day national council meeting beginning on September 23.

Accusing the the Left government of supporting “violent attacks” by CPI(M) cadres on RSS and BJP members, Union minister, and BJP leader, Nirmala Sitharaman rejected the CPI(M)’s claim that it had nothing to do with the incident.

Ms Sitharaman claimed that CPI(M) workers were running the police stations in the state and no case was registered, or action taken, on complaints by BJP and RSS workers, who were being booked in false cases.

“We suspect this attack was an attack on our president. Not even one accused has been rounded up in cases of attacks on RSS workers.... Unfortunately, the political party which gives violence its support is in power. The government is indirectly encouraging violence,” she said.

Ms Sitharaman said BJP and RSS workers were being targeted across the state since the new government took over.