2 hrs ago
Congress, BJP Trade Attack Allegations as Kerala Tensions Escalate
Congress and the BJP are arguing after several political incidents in Kerala.
Congress says BJP supporters attacked its offices and threatened its leaders.
It says stones were thrown at one office and another office was set on fire.
The BJP says Congress workers badly attacked one of its district leaders.
The dispute followed protests involving black flags and government ministers.
BJP supporters had also protested during Amit Shah’s visit.
Both parties blame the other for increasing political violence.
Police are investigating the incidents using CCTV footage.
The home minister said peaceful protests are allowed, but violence is not.
Congress alleged that BJP-linked attackers damaged its offices and threatened local leaders in Thiruvananthapuram district.
The BJP claimed Congress workers brutally attacked its Thiruvananthapuram South district president, Mookkampalamoodu Biju.
Stones were reportedly thrown at the District Congress Committee office, while the Anavoor mandalam office was set on fire.
The incidents followed black-flag protests by Yuva Morcha activists against Kerala ministers after protests targeting Amit Shah.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said police were examining CCTV footage and would take action against whoever was responsible.
- Who
- The Indian National Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party, their local workers and Yuva Morcha activists are involved; officials including Ramesh Chennithala and Rajeev Chandrasekhar commented.
- What
- The parties exchanged allegations over attacks on offices, threats to leaders, an alleged assault on a BJP district president and related political protests.
- Where
- The incidents occurred in and around Thiruvananthapuram and the Neyyattinkara area of Kerala.
- When
- The allegations were reported on Wednesday, following incidents the previous night and recent black-flag protests.
- Why
- The dispute followed protests against Amit Shah and Kerala ministers, with both parties accusing the other of political violence.
Congress allegations
BJP allegations
Responsibility for attacks
Congress allegations
Congress alleged that BJP criminals attacked its offices and threatened district and local leaders, with state BJP leadership allegedly supporting the actions.
BJP allegations
The BJP alleged that Congress workers brutally attacked its Thiruvananthapuram South district president, Mookkampalamoodu Biju.
Political violence and governance
Congress allegations
Congress said the incidents represented BJP-backed political violence and demanded strict police action against the perpetrators.
BJP allegations
The BJP said the alleged assault showed the collapse of law and order under the Congress/IUML administration and demanded immediate action.
Reason for escalation
Congress allegations
Congress claimed the attacks were intended partly to divert attention from opposition protests against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.
BJP allegations
The BJP linked the confrontation to what it called a security breach during Amit Shah’s visit and said black-flag protests would continue until action was taken.
Key facts
- Congress allegations
- Congress said BJP-linked attackers pelted stones at its district office, set fire to the Anavoor office and threatened local leaders.
- BJP allegation
- BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar said Congress workers brutally attacked district president Mookkampalamoodu Biju.
- Police response
- Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said police were reviewing CCTV footage and would take strong action against those responsible.
- Recent protests
- Yuva Morcha activists have waved black flags at the chief minister and other ministers and blocked ministerial vehicles.
- Amit Shah incident
- The BJP and Yuva Morcha described Youth Congress black-flag protests during Amit Shah’s visit as a security breach.
- Congress protest
- Congress later held a protest march in the state capital, during which activists damaged a BJP-connected organisation’s flag-pole and notice board.
Quotes
Rajeev Chandrasekhar
BJP state president and Nemom MLA
“The police must take immediate and strict action against those who attacked Biju. If this government and the police fail to act, there will be severe, uncompromising democratic consequences”
deccanchronicle.com
“The police is investigating the matter by going through the CCTV footages to identify the culprits. There will be strong action against the attackers, whosoever they may be”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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