Thiruvananthapuram: CPM leader P. Jayarajan's speech in Nedanthpuram district on Sunday justifying the violence resorted to by his party has triggered a major controversy with Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala demanding action against him.
At a public meeting in support of CPM candidate of Kattakada, Jayarajan said that CPM never took the initiative to attack others. “But if debts keep coming, we have to settle them. That's what happened. We were branded as attackers and murderers in the name of such incidents,” he said.
Jayarajan is currently on bail in the murder case of RSS leader Kathiroor Manoj. The bail was granted on the condition that he would keep off Kannur district for two months or till the chargesheet was filed.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala demanded action against Mr. Jayarajan and said Jayarajan's statement clearly confirmed the involvement of CPM in the violent acts. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy refused to respond to Mr. Jayarajan's statement. “Can I respond to each one's style? That is his style. As far as we are concerned, we waive the incident,” he said.
