Kerala CM files riot incitement cases against Congress leaders

Kochi: As the war of words torpedoes to a new level between the left government and opposition, the government went a step ahead and also slapped charges of inciting riots on the Leader of Opposition VD Satheeshan through the Congress party protest in front of the secretariat.

Mocking the chief minister who controls home, Satheeshan took to Facebook to say' Please tell the Chief Minister that I got scared'. V.D. Palakkad MLA Shafi Parampil, Kovalam MLA M. Vincent and Youth Congress President Rahul Mangkoothil are also charged by the cantonment police. Non-bailable charges including destruction of public property have been slapped in the plaint. So far five cases have been registered including one for the arrested Youth Congress worker who escaped from the AR camp.

In a recent incident in Attingal suburbs, clashes erupted between Youth Congress and DYFI (Democratic Youth Federation of India) workers when the former displayed a black flag in protest against the Navakerala Yatra. The confrontation escalated as a Youth Congress worker was surrounded and attacked, leading to a retaliatory assault. Despite police intervention, hostilities persisted between the two groups.

Simultaneously, political tensions heightened as BJP's Yuva Morcha activists exhibited a black flag towards the Chief Minister in Kallambalam, resulting in a confrontation with law enforcement. Addressing the political turmoil, the Kerala Chief Minister spoke at the Nava Kerala Sadas, asserting that he has faced challenges fearlessly, even during his interactions with the Youth Congress in the past and said, "I have not been scared of the youth congress even during their prime. What is a question of being scared now," he remarked. 

Dismissing allegations of maintaining an extensive security detail, he emphasized his communist principles and past experiences in navigating challenging situations without additional protection. Responding to specific accusations from Satheeshan, the Chief Minister challenged him to specify the basis for labeling him as shameless and refuted claims of having a large police entourage. He concluded by leaving the judgment of his character to the people of Kerala rather than allowing Satheeshan to pass unwarranted comments.

Kerala Minister warns Congress of street fights

Education Minister V Sivankutty said that if opposition leader VD Satheesan's attitude is to challenge, then there will be a situation where he will have to accept the challenge in the same tone, hinting that the party is ready for a streetfight with them. The minister was speaking at the New Kerala audience in Chirayankeez constituency.