Amid rising protests over the vandalisation of Congress MP Rahul Gandhi’s office in Wayanad, Communist Party of India (Marxist) or CPI (M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on Sunday condemned the attack, saying that such actions will dent the party and government’s image and said strict action will be taken against those involved in the matter.
“It (Attack on Gandhi’s office) was an unfortunate incident. It should not have happened. Such incidents will affect the image and keep people away from the party,” said Balakrishnan.
Activists of the Students Federation of India (SFI), the students’ wing of the CPI (M), vandalised Gandhi’s office during a rally in Wayanad on Friday, alleging his inaction over the recent Supreme Court order mandating one-km eco-sensitive area around all wildlife sanctuaries, national parks and protected areas.
Police have arrested 32 SFI activists in connection with the case so far, a police official said on Sunday. A total of 19 arrests were made on Saturday. Police said all the arrested persons were identified as local SFI activists and were remanded for two weeks by a local court.
{{/usCountry}}Police have arrested 32 SFI activists in connection with the case so far, a police official said on Sunday. A total of 19 arrests were made on Saturday. Police said all the arrested persons were identified as local SFI activists and were remanded for two weeks by a local court.
{{/usCountry}}On Saturday, the government constituted a special investigation team and asked additional director general of police (ADGP), Manoj Abraham, to supervise it.
“We have started investigation and more arrests are likely,” said DIG Rahul Nair.
Balakrishnan said strict instructions were given to all party-affiliated organisations to keep utmost restraint and care while taking out protests.
He said the party had condemned the attack immediately, and the government also took action against police officials who failed to check it, adding that many violent incidents occurred after the attack on Gandhi’s office attack, which the media and others ignored.
Balakrishnan further said there was also a concerted move to portray the SFI in a bad light and dub it a “terror outfit”, but the party will not allow this.
“SFI suffered a lot in its struggle on the campus. It lost more than 34 workers in campus violence. We will not allow anyone to demonise it,” he said.
Opposition leader Satheesan said the CPI (M)-led government was taking knee-jerk reactions as if an unknown fear haunts it badly. “After sending goons to Gandhi’s office how can they disown and condemn it. And main accused are still roaming around. Health minister Veena George’s staff was also involved in the attack, and the party is protecting him,” he said.
“The Congress has decided to keep the issue alive till Gandhi’s visit to Wayanad on June 30. The party is planning a big reception for him, and he will tour the constituency extensively for three days,” Wayanad District Congress Committee president N D Appachan said.
On Saturday, Congress took out a massive rally in Kalpetta against the vandalism, with senior leaders, including Congress national general secretary K C Venugopal and Leader of Opposition in the Kerala assembly, V D Satheesan, marching alongside the party workers for a few kilometres from the premises of the MP’s office to Pinangod.
The attack on Gandhi’s office has turned into a national issue, inviting enough embarrassment to the ruling party, which is already facing allegations of involvement in the infamous Kerala gold smuggling case by main accused Swapna Suresh.
In the first week of June, Suresh gave a statement before a court under section 164 of the CrPC, raising serious allegations against chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his family members, former ministers and IAS officers.
She alleged that “CM and his family members knew about activities revolving around the UAE consulate in the state capital, and heavy biryani pots were taken to his house from the consulate several times.”
Her statements led to massive protests across the state, mainly by members of the Congress and Youth Congress, demanding the resignation of the chief minister.
On Sunday, Balakrishnan reiterated that Congress was giving undue publicity to the disclosure of an accused in the smuggling case and are treating her charges as the gospel truth. “She had given statements to central agencies earlier also, and most of them later turned out to be contradictory,” he said. “The opposition is cooking up stories after stories every day. The left front will rally people against such moves,” he added.
Amid rising issues, the state assembly session, starting Monday, is expected to be stormy, adding to the worries of the ruling CPI (M) government.