Kerala BJP takes up protest' with Centre

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM; The state BJP leaders have asked the union government not to go ahead with the bypass work at Keezhattoor village in Kannur district by filling up 250 acres of paddy land. State party president Kummanam Rajasekharan and former president P. K. Krishnadas  called on union environment minister Dr. Harsh Vardhan in New Delhion Thursday and apprised him about the ongoing protest led by Vayalkilikal in the village.  They said that even if farmers gave up their land, it shouldn't be filled up.

Mr Kummanam also condemned CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan's statement that the RSS  had attacked the house of   Mr Suresh Keezhattoor, leader of the protestors. The Kerala leaders, including BJP's Chengannur candidate P. S. Sreedharan Pillai, could not meet national president Amit Shah. However, Mr V. Muraleedharan and his wife, Prof. K. S. Jayashree, held talks with Mr Shah.

A BJP source said that union minister  Alphons Kannanthanam had held a get-together of about 30 people from Chengannur residing in New Delhi at his official residence to discuss the poll plans.  Mr Kummanam and Mr Krishnadas also were present.