Kerala Congress leader blames CPI(M) for clashes during anti-BJP protest

Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan has accused the Communist Party of India (Marxist) of provoking clashes during protests in Thiruvananthapuram, saying violence would be met with stern action. The clashes on Wednesday evening involved Youth Congress and Students’ Federation of India workers and continued for several hours in the Palayam and M.G.

Road areas of the state capital. Police used a lathi-charge to disperse the groups. The Youth Congress march had been organised in protest against the Bharatiya Janata Party and Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar.

Satheesan questioned why the CPI(M) was agitated by demonstrations against the BJP by the Congress and its associated organisations. In a statement, the chief minister alleged that the violence occurred with the knowledge of CPI(M) leaders. He said SFI workers intentionally provoked the confrontation and accused them of throwing beer bottles and stones at Youth Congress members.

Satheesan also alleged that the BJP and Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha had been attempting to create unrest in Kerala in recent days. He described the clashes as a continuation of that situation, without providing further details of the alleged attempts. Police action at the Men’s Hostel of University College has triggered criticism from CPI(M) leaders.

Party general secretary M.A. Baby and Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan accused the police of targeting SFI activists. The source material records Satheesan’s allegations and the criticism of police conduct, but does not report a response from the CPI(M) or SFI directly addressing his claims.

The chief minister’s warning indicates that the state government intends to take action against those responsible for further violence.