CPM's Kodiyeri Balakrishnan speech sparks controversy

KOCHI:The two main opposition parties in the state, the Congress and the BJP, have turned against the CPM after a speech made by the party's state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan sparked off a controversy.

The Congress and the BJP have demanded that a case be registered against Balakrishnan for the speech.

Speaking at Payyannur, Balakrishnan told his partymen to be prepared against the attack from the BJP.“They should know that any attempt to attack us will not be left unanswered,“ he said.

"The accounts will be settled then and there," he said after visiting the house of a CPM worker who was killed by BJP activists recently.

He called upon the party workers to acquire physical fitness for defending themselves from those who attacked them. BJP state president Kummanam Rajashekharan has lodged a complaint with the state police chief to register a case against the former home minister.

He said although people wanted peace, the CPM leader was advocating violence. State police chief Lokanath Behera said he will take a decision after verifying the speech. KPCC president VM Sudheeran and opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala said the government should take legal steps against Balakrishnan.