In yet another move that could have far-reaching implications, a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader from Madhya Pradesh, Dr Chandrawat, has waded into the murky waters of political rivalry by announcing a reward of Rs 1 crore for the head of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
While speaking at an event in Madhya Pradesh, Dr Chandrawat went onto say he would even sell his property to reward the person who commits the act and that CM Pinarayi Vijayan should be held accountable for the murders of RSS members in the state of Kerala.
The remark was made in the presence of Madhya Pradesh's MP Chintamani Malviya and MLA Mohan Yadav.The statement can be seen as response to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan's recent address in Mangaluru, Karnataka, where he braved a hartal called by various Sangh Parivar outfits and the BJP to attend a harmony rally organised by the CPI(M).
At the rally, Vijayan said the RSS believed in intolerance and people like M M Kalburgi, Govind Pansare and Narendra Dabholkar were victims of their intolerance. Responding to the threats from the Sangh Parivar, the CM said it is only now that he is walking with bodyguards and security details. "Pinarayi Vijayan is not somebody who was airdropped to the position of CM. I have had the experience of walking amid wading sickles and sticks when I was a college student. They could not touch me then and now what can these people do?"
The CPI(M) condemned Chandrawat's statement in a Facebook post: "The frustration of the RSS is coming out in open. CPI(M) condemns it and demands quick action. Will the BJP led government in the state and at the Centre take any action against them? Will they come out and condemn it? If no, then it is clear which ideology they are propagating and whose government it is."
Political violence has been on the rise in Kerala in the recent past with the Left and BJP supporters clashing against each other, resulting in a number of deaths. BJP General Secretary K Surendran has recently opened a Pandora 's box when he acknowledged his party workers' involvement in retaliation murders in Kerala. Surendran at an event said that his party had retaliated every attack and murder of its activists in Kerala even when their vote share was as low as 2 percent.
Weighing in the controversy, CPI(M) General Secretary Sitaram Yechuri reacted to the statement by saying the RSS has revealed its true colours as a terrorist outfit. "Will the PM and his government stop remaining silent?" he asked.
