KOLLAM: The house of Congress leader and former president of the Thrikovilvattom grama panchayat Rose Mary at Kannanallur near here was reportedly attacked by a mob on Wednesday night.

The house was badly damaged in the attack and a goat tethered in the courtyard brutally hacked. Congress leaders in the district alleged that the CPI(M) was behind the attack. They further alleged that the attack was planned in the backdrop of a procession organised to celebrate the victory of CPI(M) supported independent candidate Vijaya Raju, in the byelection to the Kannanallur South ward of the Thrikovilvattom panchayat.

The results of the bypoll were announced on Wednesday. Mr. Vijaya Raju had won from the same ward in the last elections to the local bodies. However, Ms. Rose Mary filed a petition in the court later alleging that Mr. Raju was facing trail in some cases and that he had not shown that in the affidavit. Based on this, Mr. Raju had to resign and contest again as directed by the court. Congress leaders alleged that Mr. Raju attacked Ms. Rose Mary's house.

The CPI(M) explanation is that as the victory procession was passing near Ms. Rose Mary's house, stones were pelted at them from the house.

This could have led to retaliation from those in the procession. Meanwhile, Leader of the Opposition Oommen Chandy visited Ms. Rose Mary's house on Thursday. He condemned the attack and told media persons that he will be raising the issue in the Assembly.

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