Jaitley blames CPM for ongoing standoff

FM says BJP-RSS not responsible

Union Finance Minister Arun Jaitley on Sunday put the onus on the CPM-led Kerala Government to ensure an end to the ongoing cycle of violence between CPM and BJP-RSS activists in the state. Speaking with reporters here, the senior BJP leader dismissed the contention that the BJP-RSS combine was “equally responsible” for the clashes and said when it came to ending political violence, the buck stopped with the ruling party and the state government.

Earlier, Jaitley visited the family of S N Rajesh, the RSS karyavahak who was hacked to death last month by suspected CPM supporters. The union minister’s statement came on a day Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan chaired an all-party meeting to discuss developments in the aftermath of the killing. “At the end of the day, it’s the responsibility of the state to ensure that the perpetrators of these crimes are brought to book,” Jaitley said.

Calling for “fair, neutral and efficient” policing and a political will to discipline cadres of the ruling party, he said the argument that both political camps had victims was flawed. A fake equivalence is being sought to be brought between perpetrators of the crimes and the victims. “If the argument is to rely on this fake equivalence, that attitude will not bring violence to an end,” he said.

Jaitley reiterated the state BJP’s contention that violence has escalated every time the Left is in power in the state. Responding to questions on families of CPM victims seeking an audience with him, the minister said he was prepared to meet them since it was his “responsibility”.

The minister also slammed double-standards adopted by critics of the BJP on the issue of political violence in Kerala. He said if the violence had happened in a state ruled by the BJP or NDA, awards would’ve been returned and Parliament wouldn’t have been allowed to function. “...and those who would’ve done it are today most eloquent in their silence,” he said. He evaded a question on the RSS’ call for President’s Rule in Kerala.

“BRUTAL, BARBARIC”: Jaitley described the killing of Rajesh as brutal and barbaric. “The kind of wounds inflicted on Rajesh would’ve even embarrassed a terrorist,” he said. Ahead of the media interaction, Jaitley also attended a meeting held to commemorate Rajesh and met victims of alleged CPM violence.