NEW DELHI: CLASHES between BJP and CPM in Kerala after the Left’s victory in the Assembly elections found its echo in the national capital on Sunday with a BJP team seeking President Pranab Mukherjee’s intervention to stop the brawls in the state.
In the streets too the general sense of animosity prevailed as the CPM and BJP workers scuffled outside the AKG Centre and 600 people were detained.
BJP workers broke barriers and damaged the signboard outside the CPM office. The CPM workers too came out of the building to confront the protesters and a minor scuffle ensued. Police separated the group and no injuries were reported.
“Around 600 people have been detained under provisions of law and the situation is under control,” DCP (New Delhi) Jatin Narwal said.
Union minister Nitin Gadkari, who led the BJP delegation that met the President, told reporters that BJP and RSS workers were facing “atrocities” from CPM in Kerala. He alleged that police officials were not taking appropriate action.
“We have given the President details of these cases, including photographs. Our worker Pramod was killed. Houses of more than 100 workers have been vandalised. Situation is not good. He has assured us that he will take appropriate action,” he said..
“Unfortunately, UPA and Congress are keeping quiet. This is not good for democracy. Democracy is a battle of ideas and parties cannot grow by taking law into their hands. We hope that those having faith in democracy will condemn this violence,” Gadkari said.
Besides Gadkari, the delegation included Union ministers J P Nadda, Nirmala Sitharaman and Rajiv Pratap Rudy, MPs Meenakshi Lekhi and M J Akbar and Kerala BJP President Kummanam Rajasekharan.
CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury alleged that BJP and RSS workers started the bout of violence in Kerala by attacking a victory procession in Kannur. “This has happened across the state. The BJP is simply not willing to accept the democratic verdict of the people of Kerala,” he told reporters.
Meet the new ministers
The CPM has finalised its ministers in the 19-member Pinarayi Vijayan ministry. It would feature eight newcomers, including two women
The Ministers
Greenhorns: E P Jayarajan, K K Shailaja, J Mercykutty Amma, K T Jaleel, T P Ramakrishnan, A C Moitheen, C Raveendranath and Kadakampally Surendran.
Veterans: A K Balan, T M Thomas Isaac, G Sudhakaran. They were members in the V S Achuthanandan ministry.
The Speaker
Ponnani MLA P Sreeramakrishnan is likely to be the new Speaker. The Deputy Speaker’s post will go to the CPI. Ettumannur MLA Suresh Kurup was also considered for the Speaker’s post at the CPM state secretariat meeting held on Sunday. All these names will be vetted by the state committee on Monday.
No berth
Former minister S Sarma and CPM Secretariat member M M Mani did not find a place in the list.
Allies’ share
CPI will have four ministers. The NCP, Congress(S) and JD(S) will have a minister each. The CPI will finalise its ministers at the state executive and state council meetings on Monday
The NCP’s minister nominee will be decided on Monday, said party general secretary Praful Patel.