BJP stages dharna against CPI-M attacks

Thiruvananthapuram: BJP leaders led by its state president Kummanom Rajasekharan Wednesday 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.