KANNUR: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday lashed out at the RSS and the Congress over the killing of a CPI(M) activist in Kollam. The murder comes just as the first phase of local body polls is being held on Tuesday. At least five CP(M) workers were killed in the last 110 days and all the culprits will be brought to book, Vijayan said at a function in Kannur.

The Chief Minister asked the RSS and the Congress to make it clear whether the killings were part of their joint decision.

"RSS workers murdered CPI(M) activist Manilal who was busy with election campaigning activities. At least five CPI(M) activists were killed in the last 110 days.

There were news reports that the RSS and the United Democratic Front led by Congress have forged an alliance in the state for the local body polls. They should make it clear whether these consecutive murders were part of their joint decision.

The culprits will be brought to book," Vijayan said in a Facebook post.

CPI(M) state secretary in-charge A Vijayaraghavan said the killing was an attempt to disrupt peace ahead of polling for the first phase of the local body elections on Tuesday.

"RSS criminals have murdered a CPI(M) activist Manilal at around 8.30 pm on Sunday night in front of the LDF election committee office. This murder is a concocted plan by the RSS to disrupt the peace in the locality hours before the local polls," Vijayaraghavan posted on Facebook.

CPI(M) claimed the RSS was deliberately trying to create an atmosphere of terror in a region with no history of violence.

"We condemn the murder of comrade Manilal. We also urge all democratic forces to protest against this brutal murder," the party said in a statement.

However, police said they were investigating the matter and yet to confirm whether it was a political murder.