THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The bomb attack at CPM state chief Kodiyeri Balakrishnan’s meeting venue in Kannur on Thursday night has given a new dimension to political violence in the state.
The Left Front suspects the attack to be a deliberate attempt to create an impression of ‘law and order failure’ in the LDF’s regime. It also feels that it is a conspiracy to initiate violence by blaming the CPM. Further, Left leaders believe the attack, close on the heels of RSS’ protest against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in New Delhi the other day, cannot be viewed in isolation.
Strongly condemning the attack, Pinarayi termed it an act of ‘uncontrolled aggressiveness’. “Stringent action would be taken against those responsible for hurling a bomb at Kodiyeri’s meeting venue,” he said in a statement.
CPM veteran V S Achuthanandan said it was a ‘planned attack on the party secretary’. “The BJP and RSS are planning to start provocation under the cover of the Modi Government at the Centre. There should not be any lapses on the part of the police in bringing the culprits before the law,” he said. The CPM state secretariat, in a statement, said the incident was aimed at creating tension.
“The other day, RSS tried to create tension during the Chief Minister’s visit to New Delhi. The RSS’ move is to spread violence and disrupt programmes attended by senior CPM leaders,” it said, warning party cadres not to fall in the Sangh Parivar’s trap.
LDF Convener Vaikom Viswan alleged that the attack was an attempt to create a provocation, which will lead to violence.
“BJP and RSS have been creating tensions across the state, especially in Kannur, for some time,” he said.
Condemning the attack, CPI state secretary Kanam Rajendran said it aimed at showing law and order in the state in poor light.
“The attack is a part of an agenda by the Sangh Parivar, which has been demanding Central intervention in the state in the backdrop of incidents in Kannur,” he said, adding, “There are several avenues to raise ideological differences. Choosing weapons and violence is not suited for a modern society.” He also demanded the urgent intervention of the state government in booking the culprits.