CPI(M), BJP members clash in LS over Kerala violence

CPI(M) and BJP members sparred in the Lok Sabha on Thursday on the issue of political killings in Kerala.
 
CPI(M) member P Karunakaran took strong objection to BJP members referring to Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechury as “terrorist”.
 
BJP members indulged in a verbal duel with members of the Left parties some of whom including M B Rajesh and A Sampath trooped into the Well of the House.
 
With neither parties willing to tone down the verbal duel, Lok Sabha Speaker Sumitra Mahajan asked Karunakaran to wind up his submission.
 
“They were allowed to speak for half-an-hour yesterday,” Karunakaran said seeking more time from the Speaker who adjourned the proceedings briefly.
 
On Wednesday, BJP members Prahlad Joshi and Meenakshi Lekhi had lashed out at the LDF government in Kerala for failing to act against the killers of BJP and RSS workers in the state.
 
Joshi said 17 BJP and RSS workers were killed in Kerala in the last 17 months and demanded a probe by either the NIA or CBI. Only a couple of CPI(M) members were present in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, prompting the party to raise the issue on Thursday.
 
As the Lok Sabha re-assembled after a brief adjournment on Thursday, Karunakaran sought some more time to make his statement. “Your submission has already come on record... I have given you time. It is okay … No, I will not allow,” the Speaker told Karunakaran and asked the protesting members to return to their seats.
 
CPI(M) member Mohammad Salim asked the Speaker not to “succumb to pressure tactics” of the ruling party members. Mahajan then allowed Karunakaran to speak again briefly.
 
Karunakaran said the Kerala chief minister has been holding meetings with members of the RSS, the Left and other stake holders to end violence. He said many Left workers have been also been killed over the years.