BJP has retaliated to every murder by CPM: K Surendran

BJP state general secretary K Surendran courted controversy by saying that the party has retaliated every time their workers were attacked or murdered. The statement comes at a time when Sangh Parivar outfits in Mangalore are protesting against the visit of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan alleging his involvement in political violence. 
 

The statement is against party's projected image that they are victims of political violence unleashed by CPM in Kerala. Surendran, while attending a public gathering at Mangalore said his party had paid back the political murders and attacks by the rival party, in the same manner. 
 

"Neither BJP nor RSS is weak. Earlier we had only two percent of vote share and used to retaliate against every attack and murder by the rival party. In last Assembly election, we got five lakh votes, and our vote share has grown to 16%. But, now we don't practice tit-for-tat attacks and murders. But don't think that we will spare you (CPM). We would follow you everywhere, be it Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh or Delhi. If you prevent our workers or their activity anywhere in India, there would be a strong protest, but in a democratic manner," he said. 
 

His speech comes as a severe blow to BJP which has projected an image of victims of political violence of CPM in Kerala. The statement is likely to draw flak from various sections, from inside and outside the party.
 

His statements were quite similar to that of CPM leader and State Electricity Minister M M Mani who had, in 2012, courted controversy by stating how the party leadership was instrumental in eliminating political rivals in Idukki district in 1980's. He gave the name of each victim and explained the manner in which they were murdered. The speech proved disastrous, and Mani was removed from the post of CPM Idukki district secretary. He was arrested and remanded in judicial custody. 

• K Surendran
• BJP
• CPM
• political violence
• political killings
• Surendran controversial speech
• BJP retaliated to attacks