THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: On the eve of polls, political violence is back to haunt Kerala. The state has witnessed consecutive incidents of political clashes this week ahead of the crucial May 16 assembly election. Unlike the usual scenario, the poll time violence has special significance as it could well alter the political prospects of CPM and BJP in the state.
Back to back incidents of political violence ahead of the polls gain a new dimension, pointed out left political thinker Appukkuttan Vallikkunnu. Even the union government is keeping an eye on the rising viloence. Not only that the incidents came up before the Parliament, but the BJP has also approached the Central Election Commission asking to ensure ‘free and fair elections through wide deployment of central forces.’
“Incidents of violence which were once limited to Kannur has spread out, which is something they should have avoided. Now, it would create an impression that the law-and-order scenario has been completely shattered,” Vallikkunnu said.
The state witnessed a couple of political attacks this week. One Congress worker was hacked to death at Kayamkulam. In another incident, an autorickshaw driver who is a BJP worker was hacked in front of school students at Chockli in Kannur.
Recent incidents of violence originate form CPI(M)’s sense of intolerance when faced with a do-or-die scenario, opined BJP former state president V Muraleedharan, who was injured in a clash earlier this week.
VOTE VIOLENCE
March 8: BJP activist E K Biju was allegedly stabbed by the CPI(M) workers at Chokli in Kannur.
March 14: About 30 BJP workers were injured in a clash between BJP and CPI(M) at Kattayikkonam.
March 15: A 28-year-old Youth Congress worker hacked to death allegedly by DYFI.