Thiruvananthapuram: The clash between BJP and CPM workers earlier this week in Thiruvananthapuram which left 43 injured raised an alarming question: Is political violence, which till now was seen mainly in Kannur and northern Kerala, spreading to southern parts, especially the state capital?
The clash at Kattayikonam in rural Thiruvananthapuram came as a shock as these parts are not familiar with pre-poll violence. The BJP's protest was against reviving the city master plan, shelved two years back, which involves massive displacement of people. BJP workers marched against the local Congress MLA and city mayor VK Prashanth of the CPM. When they were about to burn the effigy of the mayor, CPM workers objected saying the city mayor cannot be responsible for a state government order. This led to pushing and shoving and heavy stone-pelting from both sides that went on for about one-and-half hours.
The BJP is trying to take this up in its campaign as an example of the "criminal politics" of CPM. Soon, senior BJP leaders including MP’S, ministers and party president Amit shah will be camping in the state and campaigning heavily for the party. Unlike in previous elections, BJP has made wider election plans and campaign programmes and party leaders are taking up such issues nationally.
Political analysts say the BJP is trying a different game plan in Kerala.“one of the reasons why violence has come from Kannur to Thiruvananthapuram is that BJP now believes that it has a good chance for either giving a tough fight or even winning a few seats there. Earlier they never thought they had a winning chance in Thiruvananthapuram. It is this particular development that is in the back of the mind of the BJP when they try to perpetrate violence,” says political analyst J Prabhash.
He adds, "If the BJP can project itself as a victim rather than a perpetrator of violence, they can influence middle class voters. So one thing that is there in the game plan of BJP is definitely violence, but not the kind seen in the northern parts of the country. It may not be Muslim versus Hindu, but CPM versus BJP."
Both CPM and BJP blame each other for the violence. BJP claims CPM is worried about its growth and is trying to instigate violence. CPM claims BJP is using violence to create communal polarisation. They claim that even the protest against the mayor was based on a false propaganda, as the order was issued by the state government and the city corporation had no role in it. In fact the state government froze the master plan the next day after the mayor staged a sit-in in front of the CM’s office.
O Rajagopal, senior BJP leader and a candidate in the current election, said “BJP has now become a formidable force in the capital city. Therefore they are trying to let loose violence which is being resisted by the people. Violence is happening because Marxists have realised that there is a likelihood of BJP winning. And they are saying we will not allow BJP to win. This is the trick they are playing, the method they are implementing. we will resist it”
Countering him, CPM politburo member MA Baby said “to the best of our information there is an intelligence report to state home ministry that there are plans to instigate violence in different parts of the state. It is also planned that a communal colour should be given to certain instances so that some communal polarisation happens, which the Sangh Parivar hopes would benefit them. For BJP to benefit in these elections they need some communal polarisation. This is a planned systematic project that they are trying to implement...We are for a peaceful and democratic poll campaign. Violence from any corner needs to be condemned”
Kerala is witnessing repeated violence ahead of this election. Even as eight CPM workers were arrested and home minister reiterated that such violence will not be allowed there is much concern. Both sides continue the blame game and the leaders say that more violence cannot be ruled out.
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