Lakshadweep: BJP netas quit over Aisha sedition case

KOCHI: A day after 12 senior BJP members in Lakshadweep, including party state secretary Abdul Hameed, resigned in protest against the slapping of a sedition case against filmmaker-activist Aisha Sultana, few more saffron party leaders in the island quit on Saturday.


Among those who tendered resignations include senior leader Syed Mohammed Koya, Andrott Island party district general secretary E K Khaleel and president B C Cheriyakoya.

“I resigned in protest against the draconian policies introduced by administrator Praful Khoda Patel who has become a threat to Lakshadweep. These policies which are undemocratic and anti-people need to be rejected,” Khaleel said.

The 12 BJP members who on Friday gave up the party’s primary membership include Abdul Hameed, Wakf board member Ummul Kulus and Khadi board member Saifulla Pakkiyoda.

All 12 of them are residents of Chetlat Island, from where Aisha also hails.

Earlier, P P Mohammed Hashim, the general secretary of the BJP’s Yuva Morcha in Lakshadweep, and eight other party members had resigned, protesting the draft laws proposed by the new island administration.

The eight others include former state vice president MC Muthukoya. Patel is scheduled to visit the islands from June 14 to 20. Besides conducting a field visit to the proposed site for a hospital in Kavaratti, Patel will also inspect presentations on the proposed smart city and eco-tourism projects.

The visit has been scheduled at a time when the islanders are up in arms against the policies of Patel. Meanwhile, Kerala general education minister V Sivankutty on Saturday called Sultana over phone and promised support to her fight against the “oppressive” administration in Lakshadweep.