The Hindu : Front Page : Dismiss Kerala government, demands BJP

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Thursday, Mar 13, 2008
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Dismiss Kerala government, demands BJP

New Delhi Bureau

— Photo: V. Sudershan

RAISING THE PITCH: BJP members of Parliament stage a protest in New Delhi on Wednesday against the attacks on their party men in Kerala.

NEW DELHI: The political killings in the Kannur district of Kerala disrupted proceedings in Parliament for the third consecutive day on Wednesday with the Bharatiya Janata Party taking the offensive this time. Citing the Kerala High Court’s observation that Central intervention was needed to end the cycle of violence in Kannur, the BJP demanded the dismissal of the State government.

The matter was raised in the Lok Sabha at the start of the day’s proceedings, resulting in a verbal duel between the BJP and the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Reprimanding the members for their behaviour and murdering democracy, the Speaker adjourned the House within minutes for two hours.

The Rajya Sabha also witnessed a short adjournment as the Chair refused to allow M. Venkaiah Naidu (BJP) to raise the issue after question hour. When the House met again, Mr. Naidu accused the CPI(M)-led government in Kerala of targeting non-Marxist parties. Quoting the court observation, he urged the government to immediately rush Central forces to the State.

Earlier in the morning, BJP members staged a dharna in the Parliament complex, demanding the dismissal of the Kerala government. Holding placards, they said the court observation was an indictment and the State government had lost the moral authority to rule.

Meanwhile, the CPI(M) released a list of attacks on its supporters ever since the Left Democratic Front took office in June 2006. According to Rajya Sabha member Sitaram Yechury, there have been 46 incidents of violence by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) against the CPI(M) since June 2006 and 12 party workers were killed.

Stating that the violence against the CPI(M) was a result of the BJP’s frustration at its inability to enter the Kerala Assembly, Mr. Yechury said dialogue was the only way out.

“Violence cannot be a political instrument in a democratic set-up. But, the RSS has refused to participate in the dialogue initiated by Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan after the latest spate of violent incidents.”

As for the court observation that Central forces should be sent to Kerala, the CPI(M) leader said that was between the State government and the Centre.

Refusing to comment on the observation, he defended CPI(M) State Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan’s “outburst” against the court view that Central intervention was needed.

“Criticising a judgment does not amount to contempt of court and everyone has a right to an opinion.”

The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) described the court observation as a correct reflection of the situation in Kannur and demanded deployment of Central forces. Stating that the RSS and the CPI(M) were maintaining scorecards on the “revenge killings,” KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala said the police were unable to deal with the situation.

Of the view that the CPI(M) and the RSS were equally responsible for the cult of violence that had developed in Kannur, he said Mr. Vijayan’s statements against the High Court was testimony to the arrogance of the Left party.

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