'Even national flag on Minister's vehicle destroyed'; Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala responds

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala said the government would strongly counter the CPM's attempts to incite violence and unleash attacks on ministers.

Chennithala alleged that CPM has long pursued an anti-people brand of politics involving attacks on ministers, citing the assault on late Oommen Chandy by DYFI activists in Kannur and the attack on Minister O J Janeesh as examples of this pattern.

Ramesh Chennithala:

“Such moves to incite unrest in the region will be met with a very firm response. Perpetrators of violence will certainly be quelled. The BJP and the CPM are jointly engaging in street violence. Yesterday, Yuva Morcha activists intercepted and attempted to attack Minister K.M. Shaji in the middle of the road. Today, CPM workers attacked O.J. Janeesh in Kannur. Vehicles were intercepted at five locations, and cars were pelted with stones; even the national flag on the Minister's vehicle was destroyed. The BJP and the CPM are acting in concert to undermine law and order in the region.

Why is the CPM so distressed by the protests against Gyanesh Kumar? The anxiety shown by leaders like M.A. Baby regarding this matter is baffling. The agitation against Gyanesh Kumar—which highlights vote-rigging at the national level—is evidently causing fear within the CPM here. On Wednesday, SFI activists hurled beer bottles and stones from the University College campus at the Youth Congress protest taking place in Thiruvananthapuram. What kind of political decency do they possess?

Over the past two days, DYFI activists have been shouting abusive slogans. These provocative slogans are being raised with the backing of CPM leaders. Is the CPM undertaking the task of rescuing the BJP whenever the latter faces a political crisis? One must suspect a conspiracy behind the incidents where ministers' vehicles were blocked and attacked. A comprehensive investigation will be conducted into this matter, and strict action will be taken against the culprits."