THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was advised against attending a felicitation programme organised by Malayali Associations in Bhopal on Saturday citing security reasons. The Chief Minister was in Bhopal to inaugurate the public meeting held in connection with the 11th national conference of All India Democratic Women’s Association. Mr Pinarayi left for BSSS College premises, the venue of the function organised by Malayali association. But the police accompanying him advised to avoid the visit to the place as members of RSS and other Hindu outfits had assembled there to stage a demonstration.
With the police insisting that the Chief Minister keep away from the meet, Mr Pinarayi went by their advise and headed straight to the airport. CPM leadership including politburo member Brinda Karat lodged a strong protest against Madhya Pradesh police for not providing adequate security to Pinarayi Vijayan. Soon, the Madhya Pradesh government swung into damage control mode. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan called his Kerala counterpart over phone and apologised for the inconvenience caused to him. State police chief Rishi Kumar Shukla and Bhopal district collector rushed to the airport and personally conveyed their apologies to the chief minister.
The DGP denied the charge that security was not provided to the Chief Minister. Members of the Hindu outfits had staged protest at the gate of BSSS College. Later, 20 protesters were taken into custody. When contacted, United Malayali Association of Bhopal general secretary O.D. Joseph told this newspaper that the Chief Minister was to attend the felicitation function, but could not make it because of some security reasons. “We had invited him to attend the function earlier in the day and he consented," he added. He said health minister K K Shailaja and P K Sreemathy MP attended the function.
Bhopal range DIG Raman Singh Sikarwar said the police had requested the chief minister to delay the visit to avoid unpleasant situation. Meanwhile, Brinda Karat lashed out at the Madhya Pradesh for refusing security to an elected chief minister. She said the incident proved that the Madhay Pradesh government was function for the RSS and by it alone. CPM state secretariat and LDF state committee called for state wide protests against the Madhya Pradesh police action. CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the incident proved the intolerance of RSS and BJP. KPCC president V M Sudheeran condemned the Madhaya Pradesh police for preventing the chief minister from taking part in the function at Bhopal.
