The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) protested against the murder of RSS worker Rajesh Edavakode by gang in Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. RSS is also planning to hold demonstrations in other states against the murder. There has been a sharp rise in incidents of violence between CPI (M) and RSS workers in Kerala. Meanwhile RSS has held CPI (M) responsible for Rajesh’s murder. According to political activists the state will witness more incidents of violence as BJP and CPM are involved in a game of onemanship as the former is trying to gain foothold in Kerala. BJP state president Kumanam Rajasekharan alleged that the Communist Party India-Marxist (CPI-M) was behind the attack.
BJP national spokesperson Meenakshi Lekhi said, “The manner in which RSS workers are being killed in Kerala just goes to show about the deteriorating law and order situation in the state. The CPI (M) led government in the state has become a mini Taliban. We have been saying that Rajesh is being brutally murdered but the government is washing its hands of the incident.
CPI (M) leader and Rajya Sabha MP Brinda Karat said, “We are condemning the murder of Rajesh. The police are conducting a probe to ascertain the truth. RSS and BJP leaders have been exposed in medical scams. Hence they are resorting to violence. BJP is trying every trick to gain foothold in the state and its their strategy to malign the image of CPI (M).”
Balraj Kollara leader of red flag organisation said, “RSS and BJP are trying to expand their foothold in Kerala. RSS leaders’ name has cropped up in the medical scam hence they are deliberately trying to incite violence. They had vandalised CPI (M) offices and attacked a minister and his son.”
Vinay Sahasrabuddhe, BJP Rajya Sabha MP, “I condemn the act of violence in Kerala. The CPI (M) don’t believe in democracy and are indulging in violence.”
“The CPI-M led government has become a mute witness to the violence going on in the state capital district. Even our state party headquarters was attacked. But we exercised restraint,” BJP state president Kumanam Rajasekheran said.
The 34-year-old Rajesh’s left hand was chopped off in the attack which took place around at 9 pm on Saturday. An investigation has been launched and search is on for assailants. Home Minister Rajnath Singh has spoken to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on the recent political violence in the state and expressed his concern with the law and order situation.
