Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress’ Kerala unit on Friday, July 1 categorically rejected the ruling CPI(M)’s allegation that the former was behind the attack on its headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, saying it was not its policy to target its political opponent’s office.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan strongly condemned the incident and directed the police to bring the culprits before law. Vijayan visited the AKG Centre this morning and appealed to his party cadres not to get provoked over the incident and show maximum restraint.
“The most significant office of the largest political movement in the state has been attacked. It is a deliberate attempt to create provocation and upset the peaceful atmosphere in the state. The culprits and those behind them will be found for sure,” he said in a statement later. Strict directions have been given to police to nab the guilty and bring them to book, he added.
Senior CPI(M) leader and Left Democratic Front (LDF) convener E.P. Jayarajan alleged that the Congress was behind the provocative action and appealed to the CPI(M) workers to remain calm.
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Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition in the state assembly, V.D. Satheesan said the party leadership had no knowledge of the midnight incident and would let the police investigate and ascertain the truth. Noting that the people of the state clearly know that the Congress party and its workers were not the ones who plan and execute such attacks, he asked the ruling party to explain on what grounds they were levelling charges against them.
“The CCTV visuals were not clear… Let the police probe and find out the real culprits.. The Left government is facing a series of allegations and they are on the defense due to our ongoing protests. Those who want to shift the attention and focus from the present issues are the ones behind the attack,” he told reporters.
Asked whether he was suspecting that CPI (M) itself was behind the attack, Satheesan did not give a clear reply.
“It is an important day for us due to Rahul Gandhi’s Kerala visit. Do you think we would attack the AKG Centre and shift the focus from the present issues being faced by the government?” the Leader of Opposition asked.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee chief K. Sudhakaran also rejected the Marxist party’s allegation and accused LDF Convener E.P. Jayarajan of ‘masterminding’ the attack against the party headquarters.
In response to the attack, security has been beefed up at the party offices of the Congress and CPI(M) in various places.
Tension gripped Kerala as an unidentified person allegedly hurled an explosive substance at the state headquarters of the ruling CPI(M) late Thursday night. Police said the explosive substance was hurled at the AKG Centre here, by a motorbike-borne man at around 11.30 pm.
(PTI)
