THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The northern belt of the country, especially Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Haryana, has been witnessing a series of attacks, demonstrations and protests by the BJP-RSS functionaries against the CPM offices over the alleged incidents of violence in Kerala. Despite having a weak presence in these states, the CPM is trying to counter the RSS-BJP campaign in its own way. At many places, the RSS-BJP workers have resorted to violence as was witnessed in Dehradun the other day where a district CITU member sustained injuries in stone-pelting. “Those accusing us of politics of violence are themselves indulging in such violent activities. They are exposing themselves in a big way,” said Rajan Singh Negi, CPM Uttarakhand state secretary.
He said the CPM may be a small party in Uttarakhand but all democratic forces are rallying behind it to counter the attack on its offices. “BSP, SP, Uttarakhand Krantikari Dal, AAP, CPI and CPI (ML) joined our protest as they believe that the attack is on the freedom to conduct political work without fear,” he added. In Himachal Pradesh, where the CPM has pockets of influence, the BJP-RSS attempt to attack the party office was foiled by workers on Thursday. “We received intimation about the RSS-BJP plan. Our party workers assembled in large numbers at a short notice. Ultimately, they had to back off after holding a minor protest,” said CPM Himachal Pradesh state secretary Onkar Shad.
On the threat posed by the RSS-BJP, former mayor of Shimla, Sanjay Chauhan, said, “we are more than capable of defending ourselves and our party offices. Enforcement of law and order is the government’s job. But we are prepared to take on the hooligans if the administration fails to step in,” he said. CPM Haryana state secretary Surendra Singh said the high voltage anti-Kerala campaign of the BJP-RSS had turned counter-productive. "The RSS-BJP tried to desperately to portray Kerala as killing fields but after Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath’s Kannur visit, the whole focus is now on development issues. The human development indicators of the two states clearly show that Kerala is far ahead of Uttar Pradesh. In a way, the focus on Kerala’s development model has helped in a big way to enhance the party’s image,” he added.The CPM leaders say they may not be having MLAs or ministers but the poor peasants, workers, youth and students who have rallied behind the party are capable of defeating the RSS-BJP 'fascist onslaught.'
