'Price of Appeasement Politics': BJP Leaders Slam LDF Govt After Kerala Blast; Cong Demands Thorough Probe

The blast at a prayer convention in Kerala on Sunday, which claimed two lives and left at least 40 others injured, has triggered a volley of political reactions with the BJP blaming the ruling Left Democratic Front government for “appeasement politics”, on the back of a fresh controversy over a pro-Hamas rally held by IUML in Kozhikode. The saffron camp also targeted the Congress for supporting “Islamic fundamentalism” while the grand old party condemned the blast incident and demanded a thorough probe.

The BJP has slammed both the Left and the Congress for “supporting Islamic fundamentalists” with union minister Kiren Rijiju saying chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Rahul Gandhi were with “anti-India forces”. Union minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar also said his state Kerala is paying the “price of appeasement politics”. Meanwhile, BJP leader Amit Malviya said the chief minister was “more worried about Israel defending itself against the terrorist group Hamas”.

“CM Pinarayi Vijayan seems more worried about Israel defending itself against Hamas, a terrorist group, while Jehovah’s Witness, a Christian movement, is targeted in Kochi. This comes on the back of Catholic Church condemning efforts to justify Hamas, following IUML’s solidarity programme (addressed by former Hamas chief Khaled Mashal) in Kozhikode. Shashi Tharoor’s speech at the program was particularly vile and controversial.

Rijiju told CNN-News18: “The fundamental Islamic party is supported by the Congress and Left in Kerala; this is terrible. Don’t play with the future of India. In the Kerala bomb blast, Rahul Gandhi and the Left should not encourage Islamic fundamentalists. I want to warn Rahul Gandhi, he is with anti-India forces.”

Chandrasekhar, who is from Kerala, said he was “deeply distressed” and sad to see this happen in his state. “Price of appeasement politics of Cong and CPM will always be borne by innocents of all communities – That is what history has taught us. Brazen appeasement politics – shameless even by Cong/CPM/UPA/INDI alliance standards to invite Terrorist Hamas to spread hate & call for “Jihad” in Kerala. This is height of irresponsible madness politics. Enough ! “You can’t keep snakes in your backyard and expect them only to bite your neighbors. You know, eventually those snakes are going to turn on whoever has them in the backyard” – Hilary Rodham Clinton”

Mizoram BJP leader Anil Antony said there has been a rise of fundamentalist organisations in Kerala in the last few years and accused the state government of being “hand-in-glove” with terrorist organisations. “…The last few years in Kerala have seen the growing rise of a lot of fundamentalist organisations… Right now, Kerala is ruled by the Communist Party. The Congress and Muslim League (IUML) are two prominent opposition parties… All three of them are part of the INDI alliance (INDIA bloc)… Yesterday in Kerala, a terror leader was addressing a massive crowd virtually… The BJP strongly condemns all these activities… In the last few months, the NIA has done various investigations in Kerala. Once again, NIA will have to step in… The state government is hand-in-glove with these terrorist organisations…” he said.

The Congress, meanwhile, condemned the blast at the three-day prayer convention held by the Jehovah’s Witnesses at Kalamassery in Kochi. President Mallikarjun Kharge said “those who foster violence must be dealth with an iron hand”. “We strongly condemn the bomb blast attack at a Convention Centre in Ernakulam, Kerala. Hate, divisiveness and terror has zero space in a civilised society. Those who foster violence must be dealt with an iron hand. We stand together with the victims. Our thoughts and prayers are with the injured.”

Senior Congress leader KC Venugopal said: “The Congress Party condemns the blasts that took place earlier in Ernakulam, Kerala today. We demand a fair and prompt investigation to unearth the conspiracy being hatched against Kerala and its tradition of unity in diversity. The atmosphere of Kerala will not and cannot be poisoned by these forces. Congress Party appeals to the people of Kerala to come together and defeat these poisonous elements.”

The Gandhi siblings also condemned the blast and demanded strict action against the culprits.

“The blast that took place during a prayer meeting in Kerala is extremely unfortunate and condemnable. There can be no place for violence and bloodshed in a civilized society. The entire country is united against such cowardly acts. There is an appeal to the government that strictest action should be taken against such elements,” said Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi.

Brother Rahul Gandhi said: “The bomb blasts during a prayer meeting in Ernakulam, Kerala, are deeply distressing and condemnable. My condolences to the bereaved family, and I hope for a quick recovery for those injured. There is no place for hatred and violence in a civilised society. The govt must conduct a thorough probe and bring the guilty to justice.”