CPM, BJP vow not to scale political tensions in Kerala; all-party meet on Aug 6

The CPM and the BJP leaders discussed the current political scenario and developments following the RSS leader’s killing in Thiruvananthapuram.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan talking to the media after the peace talks in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday | Kaviyoor Santhosh
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan talking to the media after the peace talks in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday | Kaviyoor Santhosh

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In the wake of back-to-back political clashes, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday convened a meeting with the CPM and BJP-RSS top brass, in which the leaders agreed not to escalate political tensions and to ask the cadre and workers not to exacerbate the situation.
“The two parties will ask their cadre/workers to desist from acts of violence. Also, efforts will be taken to create awareness among party workers and cadre (on the need to abjure violence),” the Chief Minister said while terming the recent developments unfortunate.  Condemning the incidents of violence in the state capital, Pinarayi said party offices and residences of political leaders should not be targeted.
It was also decided to convene separate bilateral talks at the district-level here as well as in Kottayam (both on Tuesday) and Kannur (Saturday).
The CPM and the BJP leaders discussed the current political scenario and developments following the RSS leader’s killing here the other day.  

CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, BJP state president Kummanam Rajasekharan, RSS ‘pranth karyavah’ P Gopalankutty and  O Rajagopal MLA attended the meeting.
Later, Kodiyeri told reporters the decisions taken at the all-party meeting in Kannur three months ago were not implemented. Though a bilateral discussion was held alongside, the unfortunate incidents involving both sides continued, he said.

Kummanam said the party demanded stringent action against police officers who failed to take decisive action to curb the violence. “Efforts should be taken to ensure all political parties are able to function peacefully,” he said. “The police should not behave like CPM supporters. They should function in an impartial manner. Stringent action should be taken against erring officers,” Kummanam said.
Meanwhile, the state government has decided to convene an all-party meeting here on August 6 at 3 pm to defuse political tensions.

CM shouts at media: Get out
T’Puram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday vented his anger on the media, ordering reporters and cameramen to ‘get out’ of the venue where he was about to meet BJP and RSS leaders along with CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. When Kodiyeri Balakrishnan pointed out the media was informed, the Chief Minister snubbed him, asking, ‘Who informed?’ Later, briefing the media on the decisions taken at the meeting, Pinarayi declined to comment on his angry retort.

Rajesh murder: Two more arrested
T’Puram: The city shadow police on Monday arrested two more accused in the murder of RSS activist Rajesh. They are Ratheesh alias Bhai and Siby of Karimbankonam. Both have been shifted to the AR camp. With this, all the 11 accused in the case have been arrested.

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