Kochi: Leader of Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, V.D. Satheesan, launched a sharp attack on the Sangh Parivar over the Munambam land dispute on Sunday. Satheesan accused the right-wing group of attempting to create religious divisions in the state with the support of the Left government and vowed that the Congress-led UDF would thwart such attempts.
Satheesan said the UDF would soon hold discussions with leaders of various communities to expose the Sangh Parivar’s divisive efforts, particularly after the upcoming by-elections. He emphasized that the UDF would firmly resist any attempts to drive religious wedges among the people of Kerala.
Satheesan also accused the BJP government at the Centre and in Manipur of aiding communal tensions, particularly about the burning of churches and riots in those regions. He claimed that the Christian community would soon recognize the divisive actions of certain spokespersons who were trying to deepen divisions ahead of the elections.
On the Munambam land dispute, Satheesan criticized the Left government for its inaction, alleging that it was aiding divisive forces by delaying legal action. He expressed disappointment that no cases had been registered or legal measures taken against those fueling communal discord.
The Leader of Opposition also addressed the recent defection of BJP leader Sandeep Warrier to Congress, claiming that the CPI(M) appeared more unsettled than the BJP. He pointed out that while CPI(M) leaders had previously said they would welcome Warrier if he abandoned his former ideology, they had now resorted to baseless allegations after his switch to Congress.
Satheesan further criticized the state government’s handling of the Chevayur Co-operative Bank election in Kozhikode, alleging that it marked an erosion of democratic values. He stated that the UDF would not support any government initiatives related to the state's cooperative sector, calling for an apology from the Chief Minister and the Minister for Cooperation over the incidents at the bank. He added that the UDF would confront the illegal takeover of 21 co-operative banks in Pathanamthitta district, both politically and legally.
With PTI inputs