BJP protest march to Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram turns tense
A protest march taken out by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) headquarters, Indira Bhavan, turned tense in Thiruvananthapuram
A protest march taken out by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) to the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) headquarters, Indira Bhavan, turned tense in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday, with the police using water cannons to disperse the demonstrators. The march was organised in protest against the Congress demonstration held outside Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s official residence in New Delhi on Tuesday. The BJP workers marched towards Indira Bhavan, raising slogans against the Congress and Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi. The protesters also burned an effigy and attempted to overturn barricades erected on the road leading to the KPCC headquarters, leading to a confrontation with the police.
Water canons As the situation escalated, the police used water cannons to disperse the crowd. One BJP worker, who sustained injuries during the police action, was shifted to a hospital for treatment. BJP State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, MLA, V. Muraleedharan and B.B. Gopakumar, MLAs, senior party leader Kummanam Rajasekharan, Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V.V. Rajesh and deputy mayor G.S. Asha Nath were among those who led the protest. Addressing the protesters, Mr. Chandrasekhar alleged the Congress had attempted to “target” the Prime Minister by protesting outside his official residence. The BJP would not allow any attempt to undermine democracy or insult Mr. Modi.
Referring to the NEET examination paper leak controversy, the BJP leader claimed that the Centre had taken prompt action by ordering a CBI investigation, replacing officials and conducting a re-examination. Under such circumstances, the Congress is hell-bent on exploiting the issue for political gains instead of standing with the affected students. Congress’ response KPCC president and Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph alleged that the BJP had attempted to create provocation by organising the demonstration to the KPCC headquarters. According to Mr. Joseph, the march was organised to divert attention from the growing public anger over the alleged actions of the Central forces and the Delhi Police against students’ protest and against Mr. Gandhi and other leaders who have extended support to the agitation.
Besides, the BJP protest was a desperate attempt to conceal its political failures and anti-people policies. He added the Congress would respond to such provocations through democratic means while upholding democratic values and the rule of law. There is no place for violent politics in Kerala, Mr. Joseph asserted.
The BriefWire