Karnataka, Kerala at odds as Madani arrest drama peaks

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For the seventh consecutive day, confusion and high drama prevailed over the proposed arrest of People's Democratic Party chief Abdul Nassar Madani.

Taking issues to a new low on Monday, the seventh day since the arrival of a Bangalore police team in Kerala, political leaders in Karnataka and Kerala blamed each other over the reasons for the delay in arresting Madani, who is an accused in the 2008 Bangalore serial blasts case.

Madani added to the uncertainty over his arrest when he announced on Sunday that he would surrender before the nearest law court, "in order to avoid a likely law and order problem".

The drama over the arrest heightened today when a team of high-ranking police officials reached Kerala, seven days after the first team had reached the state. The fact that the arrest warrant's duration expires on Tuesday added to the suspense.

Karnataka Home Minister VS Acharya today blamed the Kerala police over the matter, stating that the latter had not provided the expected assistance in helping arrest Madani, who is presently based at Anwarssery in Kollam district. The PDP leader has been surrounded by a group of supporters numbering a few hundred, and a medical team called on him today to assess the latest health-condition of the wheelchair-bound leader.

Without mincing words, Acharya said, "They (Kerala police) have not given the promised co-operation that was expected". In response, Kerala home minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan sounded to distance his police force from any major role in the matter, stating, "It is the Karnataka police that has the warrant to arrest him and they have to decide when to do it".

Kerala's CPM-led ruling Left Democratic Front and the Congress-led opposition United Democratic Front have both made gains in the past from the stands they have taken in associating with Madani's PDP, which is widely perceived as the reason why neither the CPM nor the Congress is making any cut and dry remarks on the Madani issue.

In contrast, the Vishwa Hindu Parishad leaders have strongly criticized the delay in arresting Madani, and alleged that the delay was only helping those perpetrating terrorism.

The local administration has declared prohibitory orders in Sasthamcotta and Maingapally, apparently as a measure to clear the ground for Madani's arrest, but the move only heightened suspicion as the arrest continued to be delayed.