Chaos in Kerala: BJP Office Attacked, Congress Targets Alleged
Tensions rise in Kerala as BJP alleges Congress involvement in attacks on Mararji Bhavan and former state president PK Krishnadas.
Political tensions have reached a boiling point in Kerala following a series of violent incidents targeting party offices across the state. Late Wednesday night, unidentified miscreants allegedly launched an attack on Mararji Bhavan, the BJP state headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, prompting an immediate police deployment to secure the premises.
The escalation has triggered a fierce war of words between the ruling Congress-led establishment and the opposition BJP, with both sides trading accusations of targeted violence and democratic undermining.
BJP Alleges Congress Involvement in Attacks
BJP National Secretary K Surendran has leveled serious allegations against the Congress party, claiming that their workers were behind the assault on the state office. According to Surendran, the violence is part of a broader pattern of aggression against BJP leadership.
Speaking to the media, Surendran highlighted that the targeting of BJP leaders did not begin with the office attack. He stated:
- Targeting of PK Krishnadas: Surendran alleged that former BJP state president and national leader PK Krishnadas was targeted earlier in the evening around 6 pm.
- Pattern of Harassment: He claimed that Krishnadas has been deliberately singled out by Congress workers for the past three to four days.
- Threat to Democracy: Drawing parallels to previous incidents, Surendran mentioned an attack on Union Home Minister Amit Shah by Youth Congress workers in Kerala, suggesting that the law and order situation is being systematically undermined.
The BJP has announced plans to hold protests to demand accountability for these incidents.
Counter-Attacks on Congress Offices
While the BJP claims to be the victim, the Congress party has also reported being under siege. The Thiruvananthapuram District Congress Committee (DCC) office was reportedly pelted with stones by unidentified individuals. Furthermore, a fire was reported at the Neyyattinkara Anavoor Mandalam Committee office during the night.
In response to these developments, Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan has condemned the violence, describing the attacks on Congress offices as "most heinous."
Chief Minister V D Satheesan Responds
The Chief Minister, who visited the pelted DCC office, took to social media to express his outrage. He asserted that such violent methods are contrary to the political culture of Kerala and warned against the use of "fascist approaches" to suppress dissent.
"The act of criminals who pelted stones at the District Congress Committee office in Thiruvananthapuram and set fire to the Neyyattinkara Anavoor Mandal Committee office is utterly condemnable," Satheesan stated via X (formerly Twitter). He further promised that the state government would ensure the culprits are identified and brought to justice through strict legal action.