Taking a serious note of “post-poll violence against BJP workers” in Kerala, the BJP on Saturday lashed out at the left Front for adopting “undemocratic ways” and warned that it would not sit quiet to “the reckless attack”. BJP president Amit Shah also decided to send a committee of party leaders to probe the incident in which a BJP worker was killed during a CPI-M victory rally in the State.
The left parties described the charges as “totally baseless”. Former CPM general secretary Prakash Karat claimed that it was their party which has been under attack while CPI national secretary D Raja termed “behaviour” of the BJP as “arrogant”
The BJP, however, reacted sharply to what it called an unending chain of violence against party and RSS workers before and after the elections in Kerala.
Pointing out that it was emerging as a political alternative in the State where it had witnessed a three-time jump of votes share (over 15 percent) than in the previous Assembly polls, the BJP said it would not be quiet if attacks on party and RSS workers continued unchecked.
In a series of tweets, Shah attacked the left Front terming the alliance that has stormed to power “undemocratic” and accusing it of “violating” the mandate that the people has given it.
The BJP chief blamed supporters of the winning front for the killing and said a committee of party leaders will visit the state to probe the incident. “I am deeply anguished to learn about merciless killing of our karyakarta (worker) Pramod. This act by supporters of the ruling left violates the democratic spirit and mandate that the people of Kerala gave them just two days back.
“We are concerned about safety of our karyakartas and assure them our full support in their fight against an undemocratic left regime. I have ordered constitution of a central committee which will visit and investigate this violence,” Shah said.
On the day of election results for five State Assemblies, Shah had even declined to congratulate the lDF over its win in Kerala, saying it would hurt the “sentiments” of his party workers. BJP top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi had personally congratulated West Bengal and Tamil Nadu Chief Ministers for victory in their respective States.
Pramod (38) had sustained head injuries after he was allegedly hit by a brick following a clash during a victory rally by CPI(M) workers at Idavilangu, Kerala, on Thursday. He died Friday.
later, addressing a Press conference, Union Telecom Minister and senior BJP leader Ravishanker Prasad said his party expects the CPM to behave properly and democratically after getting the mandate of the people.
“A series of violence is occurring in Kerala post elections on RSS cadres and BJP workers. As many as 55 cases have been registered against CPI-M workers after the Assembly elections in Kannur district,” Prasad said.
“I want to warn them that BJP will not tolerate violence against its cadre and swayamsewaks (RSS volunteers)in Kerala. This will not be tolerated. CPI(M) needs to recognise one thing very clearly that BJP is ruling over the country and is ruling in 14 States...
“BJP has very powerful electoral support in Kerala as we view this reckless attack on our cadre very seriously. Therefore, this cycle of violence must be stopped. We will expect the new CPI(M) government and the party to give serious thought to it. Otherwise, we will fight on the street, in Parliament and the entire country,” he said.
Prasad said 26 workers of the BJP and RSS were hospitalised after the attacks, apart from four women family members of some party workers.
Meanwhile in Thiruvananthapuram, senior BJP leader O Rajagopal, who scripted history by helping his party open its maiden account in the state assembly from Nemom constituency , on Saturday met Chief Minister designate Pinarayi Vijayan.