BJP stages dharna against CPI(M) attacks

Thiruvananthapuram, March 16: BJP leaders led by its state president Kummanom Rajasekharan today staged a dharna in front of the secretariat here in protest against the alleged 'political violence' unleashed by CPI(M) in Kerala in the run up to the May 16 Assembly polls.

"CPI(M) is unleashing violence in the state in the run up to the May 16 Assembly polls," BJP national general secretary in-charge of Kerala, H Raja said launching the stir.

Rajasekharan demanded arrest of CPI(M) workers responsible for the attack on the BJP rally at nearby Kattayikonam on Monday last, in which at least 30 people were injured.

He also said that a new front under the leadership of BJP was gaining strength in Kerala as an alternative to the Congress-led UDF government and 'politics of violence' followed by CPI(M).

Senior party leaders, including former Union minister O Rajagopal, were among those who participated in the dharna. Later, both Rajasekharan and Raja visited the hospital where a seriously injured BJP worker was admitted.

Meanwhile, eight CPI(M) workers have been arrested in connection with the attack on BJP activists at Kattayikonam. Recently, an RSS worker was hacked to death in Pappinesseri and a BJP worker escaped with serious injuries in Panur, both in Kannur district, after they were attacked allegedly by CPI(M) workers.

PTI