Mattanur boost: CPM to counter propaganda

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Buoyed by the stupendous victory in Mattanur municipal elections, the CPM is all set to unleash a campaign not just in the state but across the country to counter BJP-RSS propaganda branding Kannur as killing fields of Kerala. After the recent brutal killing of RSS worker Rajesh in Thiruvananthapuram, the BJP had launched a nation-wide campaign targeting CPM for politics of violence. It culminated in Defence Minister Arun Jaitley's high profile visit to State Capital. During his stay here the minister also visited the slain RSS leader’s house.

The national media which accompanied Jaitley went about giving nonstop coverage of political violence in state mainly holding CPM responsible for the bloody trail of killings especially in Kannur. But CPM came up with a timely counter campaign during Jaitley’s visit by parading victims of RSS violence. For CPM, the Mattannur victory could not have come at a better time. The results coming massively in favour of LDF and that too from Kannur the hotbed of political killings, have already become viral on the social media. The party is not leaving any chances to keep up the momentum for getting maximum mileage.

The CPM is trying to convey the message that despite highly negative and vitriolic campaign, people of Kerala especially in Kannur have stood solidly behind the Left parties. Moreover, the BJP's failure to open account in the municipality is being projected by them as total rejection of Sangh Parivar’s divisive agenda and propaganda. As the Marxists are wary of BJP-RSS misusing central agencies even in the event of isolated incidents, the party has asked its cadre to be vigilant and not to succumb to provocations.

They have been directed to keep the campaign against medical college scam alive besides not leaving any opportunity to expose the murders, rapes, looting, communal violence taking place in BJP ruled states like Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. The CPM is closely monitoring the ‘hate' speeches of RSS and BJP leaders. In the event of provocative speeches which could trigger violence, party leaders have been asked to bring such instances to the notice of police and seek  legal action.