Parties keep Thiruvananthapuram on edge
Frequency of clashes between CPM and BJP has grown manifold.
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The series of retaliatory violent clashes involving CPM and BJP cadres on Thursday points to the politics of violence which has reached dangerous proportions in the state’s capital. Notwithstanding the allegations and counter allegations being levelled by BJP and CPM against each other, there is a clear a pattern behind the violence in the district. Though there have been sporadic incidents of violence involving the two parties including killings of political activists during the past couple of years, the frequency of clashes and targeted attacks on party offices and houses of leaders has grown manifold now.
These clashes also indicate the increasing fight between the two parties for political space in the district especially in areas like Anavoor, Kattakada, Parassala-Neyyattinkara belt, Manacaud and Thiruvallom. The BJP has been working hard to consolidate its electoral base since its astounding performance in Thiruvananthapuram Lok Sabha seat in 2014, unprecedented win in corporation elections in 2015 which catapulted the party to main opposition level and lastly debut in Kerala Assembly from Nemom. On the other hand CPM, the biggest political party in the state, is leaving no stone unturned to counter Sangh Parivar in district.
After the sensational murder of CPM youth leader V. V. Vishnu in 2008 and the subsequent revenge killing of Ranjith who was one of the accused in the case, there was a lull for a while. But back to back killings of SFI and CPM activists in Amaravilla and Anavoor in 2013 allegedly by RSS-ABVP had triggered fresh bout of violence. The CPM leadership says the BJP is unleashing violence in the district to terrorise Left cadres. Despite the recent electoral gains, the BJP has not been able to make much inroads into CPM bastions in the district which was evident from the CPM’s stupendous performance in Assembly elections.
However, the BJP leaders believe that CPM is rattled by their growing influence in the district . They allege that the frequent visits of Kannur district secretary P. Jayarajan was aimed at fomenting trouble. However, CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balkrishnan has refuted the charge saying Jayarajan visited Thiruvananthapuram to attend state committee meeting. However, the situation in many parts of the district is aggravating by the day. If the top leaders of CPM-BJP fail to walk the talk on their claims on restoring peace and stop short of reining in their violent cadre, the retaliatory violence could take a heavy toll on the normal life in district.