The CPI(M) has demanded an inquiry into the attack on
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in Kannur on Sunday, in the light of
Intelligence reports warning about the possibility of such an incident.
Addressing
a press conference on Monday, State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan
alleged that the attack was designed to create public sympathy for the
embattled Chief Minister who had become increasingly isolated following a
series of scams.
“Mr.Chandy and his office stand
accused of trying to protect the accused in several scams. No other
Chief Minister has been so isolated from the public in the history of
the State.”
Mr. Vijayan said the LDF stir against
Mr.Chandy had remained peaceful since its launch in June. “Despite cruel
assault on students, youth, and women by the police, our agitation has
been peaceful.”
He sought to know what pre-emptive
action the government had taken in the light of the Intelligence report
that a ruling front activist might infiltrate the Opposition ranks and
carry out an attack on the Chief Minister to restore his badly dented
image.
“It is clear that it is the Chief Minister and
not the Opposition who stands to benefit from such an attack.” He said
the attack had happened far away from the four places where LDF workers
had gathered to wave black flags against Mr. Chandy in Kannur.
“Immediately
after the incident, Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan told
reporters that LDF workers were taken into custody. That was a signal
for the police to round up CPI(M) volunteers.”
Observing
that even a minor assault on the Chief Minister was a cause for
concern, he said the police should be able to identify the assailant
easily, since Mr.Chandy was under heavy security cover during the
attack.
Mr.Vijayan demanded a serious investigation
to identify the people who had planned and executed the attack on the
Chief Minister. He, however, warned against any attempt to launch a
witch hunt against the CPI(M).
Replying to questions,
he said the LDF would continue the agitation against Mr. Chandy. Mr.
Vijayan said he and CPI(M) Polit Bureau member Kodiyeri Balakrishnan had
not called on Mr.Chandy as they had been advised against visiting
Medical College Hospital on Monday morning.
Asked
whether Sunday’s incident at Kannur had provided political mileage for
the Chief Minster, he said it would boomerang on Mr.Chandy.
(source : the Hindu)
