Kerala Law Academy agitation: Striking BJP steals the thunder

Thiruvananthapuram: The indefinite hunger strike by former state president V. Muraleedharan, launched in front of the Law Academy with the endorsement from senior national-level BJP leaders, has given the BJP an edge over other parties. Though it was KSU that started the agitation in the first place, Congress leaders failed to capitalise on the initiative. The issue came to the limelight when the SFI strike turned violent. However, CPM's uncertain stand over the agitation seems to have put SFI in a fix.

The stand of the CPM is believed to be the reason why the KU syndicate, controlled by party nominees, restricted itself to demanding the management to take action against the principal. The CPI, though with limited cadre strength, has suffered the worst, with its members getting brutally beaten up by cops during their agitation. BJP state secretary V.V. Rajesh told DC that the party had not entered the agitation to gain political mileage.

"BJP is only supporting the just demands of the students," he maintained. "If it has given political mileage to the party it was because of the failure of other parties, especially the ruling CPM, to interfere effectively to ensure an amicable settlement to the issue," he added. KPCC secretary and KU Syndicate member Jyothikumar Chamakala, denied that the BJP has gained any advantage due to the strike.

"It was only after the KSU launched a strike that other students unions noticed the issue. In fact, I think that the fast by Mr Muraleedharan had only adversely affected the students strike as it has made the Government more adamant on the issue," Mr Chamakala said. KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran and Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala too have hit hard against CPM for soft pedaling the issue.