Antony's anti-saffron talk leaves BJP fuming

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM/ KANNUR/ KOTTAYAM: The BJP on Monday launched a frontal attack on senior Congress leader A K Antony accusing him of trying to incite communal hatred in the state.
Alleging ulterior motives behind Antony's statement, that there will be communal riots if the BJP opens account in Kerala, party state president Kummanam Rajasekharan said it was aimed at dividing people on the basis of religious beliefs.“His attempt is to create communal hatred in the minds of people and create tension in the state.Such practices would not be successful anymore,'' Kummanam said. He said BJP would file complaint with state election commission against Antony's statement. Antony's dream of a BJP-free assembly in Kerala was nothing but a day dream, he said.
Senior BJP leader and candidate in Nemom constituency , O Rajagopal too came out against Antony and said his dream of a BJP-free assembly reflected the fascist face of the Congress party.
Antony continued his attack on the BJP stating that the BJP seems to have a hidden agenda in Kerala and that could be the reason why it is bringing in all major leaders, including its national president Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for election campaign.
“We cannot say that they are focusing here just for opening an account or creating a communal divide. I doubt a secret agenda beyond that,“ he said during a meet-the-press programme organized by the Kannur Press Club on Monday . He said time would reveal what it is.
“All of a sudden, they are focusing here, and I think they have the same aim they had in other states where the party created disruption in the name of beef and patriotism,“ he said.
Meanwhile, former general secretary of the CPM Prakash Karat welcomed Antony's statement that the BJP was the main enemy of the Congress.
“Though his intentions are right, the Congress is still holding hands with the BJP.
The BJP-ruled states are facing communal polarization and riots on a daily basis. The people in Kerala won't allow that,“ he said.
Karat said that the CPM has an open approach on liquor policy . “If the LDF comes to power, the liquor policy of the UDF will be re-examined,“ he added.