Fraught political atmosphere marks Navakerala Sadas fourth day in Kannur

Frayed political tempers in Kannur as Congress threatens to impede CM's progress. CPI(M) accuses Congress of fomenting violence to disrupt Cabinet's outreach. UDF convener calls CM "cruel" while Archbishop urges parties to sink differences for public good. A.V. Gopinath to join Navakerala Sadas in Palakkad.

Frayed political tempers marked the fourth day of the LDF government’s public outreach programme, the Navakerala Sadas, in Kannur district on Tuesday.

An alleged DYFI attack on Youth Congress workers who staged a black flag protest against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s motorcade in Kannur on Monday appeared to have vitiated the State’s political atmosphere.

The fraught situation showed no sign of abating, with the Congress threatening to pit MLAs and MPs at the forefront of the street protests against Mr. Vijayan.

KPCC president K. Sudhakaran warned that Congress workers would impede Mr. Vijayan’s progress across the State and resist the CPI(M) ‘s “thuggery” on the street.

CPI(M) and Congress leaders portrayed the incident in starkly different terms.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said DYFI workers had saved a Congress worker from committing a “suicidal act” by attempting to throw himself in front of the bus ferrying the Cabinet. He lauded their effort to prevent such life-threatening daredevilry, further infuriating the Congress.

Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan termed the incident an act of wanton violence against YC and KSU activists who exercised their democratic right to protest peacefully.