BJP leaders meet Guv over attacks on party cadres

Thiruvananthapuram: State BJP leaders Wednesday met Governor P Sathasivam and appraised him about the attack on party cadres allegedly by CPI(M) workers in parts of the state, especially in the politically sensitive Kanur district, seeking his immediate intervention in the matter.

In a petition submitted to Sathasivam, BJP alleged that CPI(M) workers were in the forefront of violence against BJP workers, other political opponents, women and Dalits and cited some incidents in Palakkad, Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram districts.

Later, talking to reporters, BJP National General Secretary Muralidhar Rao, who led the delegation of leaders, slammed the Pinarayi Vijayan led-LDF government for "complete failure" in governance.

"Law and order has failed completely in the state," he charged, asserting that BJP cannot be cowed down by such attacks.

"The BJP central leadership is committed to protecting the life and property of its cadres in Kerala," Rao said.

Stressing that the party would explore all options to protect its workers from attack, Rao said, "The central leadership is keen to protect and we stand by the state party."

He said three BJP-RSS cadres were killed, two in Palakkad and one in Kannur, after the peace initiative of the government two months ago.

Rao alleged that Vijayan was not sincere about talks and added, "When the Chief Minister was holding talks, his party cadres were engaged in attacks."

"Killing and ruling cannot go together. Democracy and annihilation of political opponents cannot co-exist," he said.

On whether the party would demand President's rule and deployment of central forces in Kannur district, Rao said, "Everything depends on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. With violence spreading to other parts of the state, case is building up for government failure."

The violence should end whether with the intervention of the Centre, the Chief Minister or the Govenor, he added.

The Governor assured the delegation of all possible steps in the matter, he added.