BJP seeks resignation of IUML minister from Union Cabinet

Kozhikode, Sep 27 (UNI) The Kerala unit of the BJP today demanded the resignation of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) Minister from the Union Cabinet following indictment of the party's role in 2003 Marad communal violence.

Welcoming the state government's decision to recommend a CBI probe into the incident that claimed nine lives at Marad Beach here, BJP state president P S Sreedhran Pillai told reporters that the IUML has no moral right to continue in the cabinet following its involvemet in the incident.

''Our stand has been vindicated on the issue'' as Justice Thomas P Joseph Commission had pinpointed involvement of the activists of the IUML and the National Democratic Front (NDF )in the incident Mr Pillai said.

''We had pointed out several times in the past with clear evidence about their involvement in the attack against the majority ommunity,'' he added.

Reiterating its charge that both the political formations -- the United Democratic Front and Left Democratic Front -- were responsibile for the violence, the BJP leader said the Commission also substantiated this by blaming the successive governments after 1996 for failure to take effective steps to prevent the growth of religious fundamentalism and terrorism in the state.

He sought reaction from national political parties on the recommendation and the Action Taken Report on Marad violence as it was related to the internal security of the nation.

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