Kejriwal praises Kerala CM for 'confronting' divisive forces

New Delhi, Oct 14 (PTI) Delhi Chief Minister ArvindKejriwal today commended his Kerala counterpart PinarayiVijayan for "successfully confronting al...
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New Delhi, Oct 14 (PTI) Delhi Chief Minister ArvindKejriwal today commended his Kerala counterpart PinarayiVijayan for "successfully confronting all those forces" tryingto divide people in the name of caste and religion.

Inaugurating a cultural festival jointly organised by thetwo states here, Kejriwal said the situation demanded unityamong parties to fight the forces polarising the society.

He did not name any individual or party, nor said who hewas referring to. But the Kerala chief minister and the BJPhave been accusing each other of unleashing political violenceagainst the workers of the other party in the southern state.

"I salute the Kerala CM for confronting all those forcesthat are trying to divide people. Our strength is our unity indiversity. No one likes hatred. We are people who support loveand like to live in harmony," Kejriwal said.

Vijayan said this was a "time in which those speakingtruth are targeted", referring to the killings of activist-journalist Gauri Lankesh in September and rationalist M MKalburgi in August 2015.

More than 40 percussionists performed the 300-year-oldart form Chenda melam at the cultural event. The chief guestswere welcomed with Theyyam - a popular ritual dance form ofNorth Malabar in Kerala. Scores of people attended the event.

Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said thoughpolitically and geographically both the states were separated,culturally both were alike.

"With this event we have to show the unity. I do notbelieve in one nation, one tax, but I do believe in onenation, one culture," Sisodia said.

The Kerala Delhi Cultural Heritage Fest, an initiative ofKerala government under Cultural Exchange Programme, wouldcontinue for two more days in Connaught Place, NDMC Hall, andthe Kerala House.

Kejriwal said the Delhi government would organise asimilar event in Kerala in February next year. PTI CPBABH.

This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.

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