Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Thursday accused the CPI(M) of provoking Wednesday evening’s clashes that turned Palayam in the State capital into a battleground for hours, prompting police action. The Chief Minister said violence will be met with stern action on the part of his government.

In a statement, Mr. Satheesan asked why the CPI(M) was getting distressed over demonstrations against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Youth Congress march on Wednesday was organised in protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the BJP. “Why should the CPI(M) get agitated when the Congress and its feeder organisations protest against the BJP?” he asked.

Violence was unleashed in Thiruvananthapuram with the knowledge of the CPI(M) leadership, the Chief Minister said. “It was a deliberate move on the part of the CPI(M). The provocation on the part of the SFI workers was intentional. They hurled beer bottles and stones at the Youth Congress workers,” he said.

Mr. Satheesan further said the Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha (BJYM) and the BJP have been trying to create unrest in the State over the past few days. “Wednesday’s violence by the CPI(M) and the SFI was a continuation of it,” he said.

Palayam and MG Road in the capital city witnessed violence for several hours on Wednesday evening after Youth Congress and SFI workers clashed. The police resorted to lathi-charge to disperse the mob. But the police action at the Men’s Hostel of the University College drew sharp criticism from the CPI(M) leadership, including party general secretary M.A. Baby and Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan who accused the police of targeting SFI activists.