Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Congress, BJP Trade Allegations After Kerala Office Attacks
Congress and the BJP are blaming each other for political violence in Kerala.
The BJP says its state office was attacked and that some of its leaders were targeted.
Congress says its offices were attacked and that its local leaders received threats.
A Congress office in Thiruvananthapuram was reportedly hit with stones.
A fire was also reported at the Congress office in Anavoor, although a local leader said it did not spread to the building.
The BJP also says a district leader, Mookkampalamoodu Biju, was badly attacked.
The dispute followed protests involving black flags and ministers, after a similar protest involving Amit Shah.
Police are reviewing CCTV footage to find out who carried out the attacks.
Both parties say the other side is responsible, while officials have called for legal action and an end to violence.
The BJP alleged that unidentified attackers targeted its state office in Thiruvananthapuram and that Congress workers attacked BJP leader P K Krishnadas.
Congress alleged that BJP-linked attackers threw stones at its district office, set fire to the Anavoor mandalam office and threatened local leaders.
BJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar separately alleged that Congress workers brutally attacked district president Mookkampalamoodu Biju.
The incidents followed black-flag protests involving Yuva Morcha activists, Kerala ministers and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said police were examining CCTV footage and would act against whoever was responsible.
- Who
- The Indian National Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party, their workers, Yuva Morcha activists, and local political leaders are involved; officials including Ramesh Chennithala and V D Satheesan commented.
- What
- The parties exchanged allegations over attacks on BJP and Congress offices, threats to leaders, an alleged assault on BJP leader Mookkampalamoodu Biju, and related protests.
- When
- The reports were published on Wednesday, after attacks reported the previous night and amid several days of black-flag protests.
- Where
- The incidents occurred in Thiruvananthapuram, Neyyattinkara and the Anavoor area of Kerala.
- Why
- The confrontation followed black-flag protests involving Amit Shah, Kerala ministers and Yuva Morcha activists, with both parties accusing the other of political violence.
Congress allegations
BJP allegations
Responsibility for attacks
Congress allegations
Congress alleged that BJP-linked attackers damaged its offices and threatened local leaders, with state BJP leadership allegedly supporting the actions.
BJP allegations
The BJP alleged that Congress workers attacked its state office and brutally assaulted BJP leader Mookkampalamoodu Biju and former state president P K Krishnadas.
Political violence and law enforcement
Congress allegations
Congress called the incidents BJP-backed political violence and demanded strict police action against those responsible.
BJP allegations
The BJP described the alleged assault as evidence of political thuggery and a collapse of law and order under the Congress/IUML administration, demanding immediate action.
Cause of escalation
Congress allegations
Congress said the attacks were linked to the Yuva Morcha’s black-flag protests and alleged they 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 its black-flag protests would continue until action was taken.
- BJP office incident
- The BJP state office, Mararji Bhavan, in Thiruvananthapuram was allegedly attacked by unidentified miscreants late Wednesday night.
- Congress office incidents
- Stones were reportedly thrown at the Thiruvananthapuram District Congress Committee office, while a fire was reported at the Anavoor mandalam committee office.
- BJP allegation
- BJP leaders alleged that Congress workers targeted P K Krishnadas and brutally attacked district president Mookkampalamoodu Biju.
- Congress allegation
- Congress alleged that BJP-linked attackers threatened its district committee secretary and other local leaders.
- Police response
- Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said police were examining CCTV footage and would take strong action against those responsible.
- Political context
- Yuva Morcha activists have waved black flags at the chief minister and other ministers after Youth Congress workers protested during Amit Shah’s visit.
- Further protest
- A Congress march later damaged a flag-pole and notice board belonging to an organisation connected with the BJP.
