The BJP’s Keralam headquarters was attacked with stones and bottles, while P K Krishnadas’ vehicle was also attacked earlier
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP on September 30 said its Keralam headquarters was attacked by unidentified persons who hurled bottles and stones at the building. Earlier in the evening, the vehicle of BJP National Executive Committee member P K Krishnadas was also attacked. Condemning both incidents, the BJP said attacks on its state office “under the cover of darkness” pose a challenge to the basic values of democracy. “Turning to violence when one is unable to confront someone politically is not befitting of democratic politics,” the party said in a statement.
According to the BJP, Krishnadas’ vehicle was attacked while he was travelling to Neyyattinkara to attend a protest organised by the party. Krishnadas said Congress and Youth Congress workers attacked his vehicle in the presence of police and broke one of its windows.
Speaking about the incident, Krishnadas said the BJP had organised a protest march and public meeting after the attack on its Thiruvananthapuram South district president. He said that his vehicle came under attack while he was on his way to attend the programme.
“While I was on my way to attend it, Youth Congress and Congress leaders attacked my vehicle in the presence of the police. They broke the car window,” Krishnadas said. He further alleged that BJP workers maintained restraint despite the provocation and said the situation could otherwise have escalated into a major clash.
Later in the evening, the BJP alleged that unidentified persons attacked Mararji Bhavan, its state headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, by hurling bottles and stones at the building. Police were subsequently deployed outside the office premises.
BJP leaders accused Congress workers of being behind the incidents. National Secretary K Surendran said that Krishnadas had been targeted earlier in the day and condemned what he described as a deliberate escalation of political violence. The incident comes amid heightened political tensions in Keralam following a black-flag protest against Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his recent visit to Kollam.
