Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K. Sudhakaran on Sunday sought an investigation against top leaders of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Kerala alleging that they had “clear knowledge” of the attempts to make crude bombs ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
During his election campaign at Panunda in Kannur, the Congress leader told The Hindu that in the wake of the the Panoor crude bomb explosion, the United Democratic Front (UDF) candidates contesting in the Lok Sabha elections were forced to ensure their safety independently. “We have no other options now. Our candidates are well aware of the political style of the CPI(M) based on aggression. We are all prepared to meet any situation when we go out for campaigns,” he said.
‘Clear instructions’
Mr. Sudhakaran, who is also the UDF candidate in the Kannur Lok Sabha constituency, said no one would try to make crude bombs unless there were clear instructions from the higher-ups. He alleged that the bombs were made with the knowledge of the party leaders who remained unidentified.
Mr. Sudhakaran said the suspected CPI(M) leaders should be immediately taken into police custody and interrogated, respecting the democratic system. “None of them has been brought under such a comprehensive investigation so far. Even if they claim to have no knowledge about the incident, it should be established through a thorough inquiry,” he demanded.
Campaign issue
The KPCC chief said the bomb explosion would be taken up as a campaign issue across the State. He also alleged that the Panoor incident brought to light the “real face” of the CPI(M), which had been maintaining a revengeful attitude to political opponents.
‘CPI(M) fears defeat’
Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan has accused the CPI(M) of resorting to violent tactics fearing defeat in the upcoming general elections. Flagging the crude bomb explosion at Panoor, the Congress leader said the incident was a proof of the CPI(M)’s intention of sabotaging the elections. The party attempted to vitiate the democratic process and create panic among the public, he alleged.
“Despite attempting to disassociate themselves from the incident, several leaders of the CPI(M) visited the house of the person who was killed in the explosion. Such tactics drew parallels with the T.P. Chandrasekharan murder case in which the (current) Chief Minister and State leaders of the party offered protection to the accused persons, even while claiming they had no role in the incident,” Mr. Satheesan said in a statement.
