Kannur (Kerala) [India], December 23 : CPI(M) Kannur District Secretary KK Ragesh delivered a strong and controversial speech at Parade Town in Kannur, warning that Muslim League workers would not be able to come out of their homes if their party decides to retaliate.
He said CPI(M) workers exercising restraint should not be mistaken for weakness. "If we decide to respond, League workers will not be able to step out of their houses," Ragesh warned during his address.
The remarks have sparked criticism, with opposition parties accusing the CPI(M) leader of issuing open threats and escalating political tension in the district.
Earlier, BJP leader V Muraleedharan accused the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Kerala of attempting to deflect responsibility for the Palakkad mob lynching incident by blaming the BJP and the RSS, after the conclusion of state local body elections.
Speaking to ANI, Muraleedharan said, "The ruling Communist Party of Kerala is trying to put the blame for the mob lynching in Palakkad on the BJP and RSS. Kerala is a state ruled by the CPM. The incident happened at a place where CPM has an absolute majority."
He pointed out that out of 21 seats in the local body concerned, the CPM holds 14, while the BJP has only one elected member.
Referring to the incident, Muraleedharan said around 15 to 20 people gathered at the spot, during which a migrant labourer was killed. "Many CPM workers are involved in that, and the FIR will bring the details of that," he alleged, adding that a former gram panchayat member belonging to the Congress was also involved.
The BJP leader demanded a fair investigation into the incident, calling for the state to book the responsible individuals and let the people decide who is to blame for the incident.