THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the parliamentary elections due in less than four months, the protest war against the Navakerala bus and the governor is making the political atmosphere in the state even more murky and tense.

On the one hand, there is criticism that CPM and DYFI activists are physically confronting the black flag protest by Youth Congress and KSU activists in front of the Navakerala bus in which the Chief Minister and ministers are travelling. On the other hand, there is the governor who took to the streets and openly challenged the SFI protestors when their protests against the governor went too far. It is feared that the continuation of protests and resistance in this way will worsen the situation of conflict.

Parliamentary election dates may be announced in late February or early March. Contrary to the norm, at the very time when the preliminary work to face the elections has to begin, state politics is boiling in the heat of attack and counter-attack.

The conflict started when the black flag protest by Youth Congress workers in Kannur in front of the bus of Nava Kerala Sadas which started from Manjeswaram on December 1 was physically confronted by the DYFI members. Even as the Nava Kerala Sadas has crossed 90 assembly constituencies and passed Kottayam district, the protest and resistance continues. Both groups announced that this will continue till Sadas reaches the capital on 23rd.

The UDF has criticized that the role of police has been handed over to CPM and DYFI workers. At the same time, the LDF has also accused Congress of trying to riot by letting loose their Suicide Squad. It is considered appropriate that the Congress leadership intervened and asked the KSU members to control themselves, when the police registered a case of attempted homicide against the four KSU members who threw shoes at the Navakerala bus and the Chief Minister warned of the consequences if it continues.

Situation will get explosive if the governor is on the road again

The announcement of the SFI leadership that the black flag protest against the governor will continue and the announcement of the governor Arif Muhammad Khan that he will face them on the road again if the vehicle is stopped may lead to more conflict and law and order problems. The Governor, who got out of his car in Pettah in the capital and shouted at the SFI members from the middle of the road and challenged them, is also blaming the police. In this situation, the police will have to prepare a strong shield to prevent the protesters from reaching the governor's vehicle.