In a scathing attack on the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), Kerala's opposition leader V D Satheesan has accused the Communist Party of India (Marxist) of unleashing widespread violence across the state following its defeat in the recent local body elections. The Congress leader made these serious allegations during a press interaction on Wednesday.
Allegations of Orchestrated Violence and Police Inaction
V D Satheesan, the Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, claimed that CPM cadres are "running amok" with bombs and swords in several regions, specifically naming Payyanur and Panoor in the Kannur district. He asserted that Kannur, which is also the home district of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has become a hotspot for this political violence.
Satheesan expressed grave concern over the role of the state police, alleging that law enforcement officials have been reduced to "mere spectators" in many instances, failing to control the situation. He directly linked the violence to the ruling party's frustration over its electoral setbacks.
The Controversial Bomb Blast in CM's Village
The opposition leader highlighted a particularly alarming incident in Pinarayi, the Chief Minister's own village. He stated that a CPM member sustained severe injuries, losing his hand, in an explosion. Satheesan alleged that this was not an accident involving firecrackers, as claimed by the local police, but rather the result of manufacturing country-made bombs intended to target political opponents.
"When CM's own party member is making bombs to kill opponents, CM's police are complicit," Satheesan charged. He further accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who also holds the Home Ministry portfolio, of sheltering bomb-makers in his village and declared him "unfit to be chief minister." He argued that the police's attempt to dismiss the incident as a firecracker explosion made the force a "laughingstock."
Arrests and Contradictory Narratives
Meanwhile, the Kannur police have taken action by arresting five more CPM activists in connection with the post-election violence in Panoor. The arrested individuals, identified as Sarath, Sreejil, Aswanth, Sreyas, and Athul, all natives of Panoor, were apprehended from a hideout in Mysuru. Earlier, police had also arrested two Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) workers for allegedly vandalizing a CPM party flag and a memorial in the same area.
In a separate but related incident, Taliparamba police arrested two IUML workers, C P Noufal and N U Mustafa, in connection with post-poll violence there.
The narrative around the Pinarayi blast took another turn when senior CPM leader E P Jayarajan contradicted the police version. Jayarajan claimed on Wednesday that the explosion occurred while the party worker was making firecrackers for Christmas celebrations, not bombs. This statement directly opposes the police's initial claim that the youth was carelessly trying to burst a firecracker and supports the opposition's allegation of bomb-making.
Broader Accusations and Political Warnings
Satheesan expanded his criticism, alleging that the attackers were also involved in destroying statues of national icons like Mahatma Gandhi and former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. He issued a stern warning to the state government, demanding immediate action to disarm these "criminals."
"Violence will only end when weapons are laid down. These criminals must be brought under police control," he stated. He warned that if the government fails to act, the opposition would be forced to take "other measures," and the people of Kerala would deliver a strong response.
On a separate note, Satheesan also commented on the defamation case filed by former Devaswom Minister Kadakampally Surendran, questioning why the minister was issuing public challenges when the matter was sub judice and evidence would be presented in court.
The situation highlights the tense political atmosphere in Kerala following the local elections, with accusations of violence, police partisanship, and contradictory official statements deepening the crisis.
