KANNUR: BJP state president K Surendran said that the arrest of BJP councillor Lijesh in connection with the murder of CPM activist Haridas in Thalassery was a political vendetta. Surendran alleged that the CPM leadership had framed Lijesh in a fake case.

"Police arrested Lijesh on the basis of excerpts from his speech. If that is how the police are registering cases, then they should register similar cases against CPM leaders including state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan," Surendran said. He alleged that it was the provocative speeches made by CPM leaders that resulted in most of the political murders in Kerala.