THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Legislative Assembly's seventh session opened with the Opposition stalling the day's proceedings over rising political violence in the state.
The Opposition accused the government of Kerala's deteriorating law and order which eventually warranted intervention by the Governor and visit by a Union Minster to the house of a political murder victim.
Expressing dissatisfaction over the chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan's response, the Opposition trooped to the well of the House carrying a banner which read “Stop BJP-CPM violence, restore peace in the state'.
Normal business in the House was disrupted due to continued sloganeering by the Opposition. The Speaker cut short the day's proceedings and adjourned the House.
Political Murders Rising Under LDF Rule
K Muraleedharan of the Congress, who gave the notice for an adjournment motion said at least 18 political murders had happened in the state since the LDF assumed power.
Muraleedharan said that while police termed the RSS activist’s killing a political murder, the CPM staunchly denied any role in the incident. He wondered why the state police chief was called in by the Governor after summoning the chief minister in the wake of the violence.
Stating that the government should be tried for its misdeeds in the people's court, Muraleedharan, however, clarified that his party did not support dismissal of the state government on these grounds. He also lambasted Pinarayi Vijayan for venting his ire on media after being summoned by the Governor.
Wrong Image Being Created
Pinarayi Vijayan replied saying political murders have happened as isolated incidents during the UDF government’s tenure too. Citing a number of political murders that happened mostly during the UDF rule, Pinarayi said such incidents did not adversely affect the overall peace in Kerala.
Referring to the Centre's intervention, Pinarayi said there was a deliberate attempt to distort the state’s image. “We should realise the clear political motives behind such accusations,” Pinarayi Vijayan said.
“The government does not encourage violence. Strict action has been taken against perpetrators of violence. The police have not looked into the political leanings of the culprits while taking action,” he said.
CM Selectively Silent
The leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala accused the Pinarayi Vijayan being blind to political murders carried out by his party-members. “The chief minister should rise as a statesman. Instead, he is debasing himself by remaining a mere party leader,” Chennithala said.
He accused the CPM of saving the BJP from the ignominy it suffered due to the recent bribery allegations. He also pointed out that CPM MLAs themselves were raising questions on why the police had failed to arrest the culprits responsible for violence at their party office in Kozhikode.
Ramesh Chennithala doubted the sincerity of the government regarding the ongoing peace initiatives. “On the one hand, you convene all-party peace meetings and on the other hand your party leaders challenge rivals,” Ramesh Chennithala said.