Intel reports indicated BJP would carry out attacks: Kerala CM
According to Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan, intelligence reports had suggested that BJP might carry out attacks across the state to divert attention from the medical college scam. Speaking in the assembly, Vijayan said the government took precautionary measures. This comes during discussions on RSS worker Rajesh Edavakode's murder in July. Edavakode was hacked to death amid high tension after clashes between the CPM and RSS.
What is the medical college scam?
Last month, reports surfaced about the saffron party in Kerala being linked to a medical college scam. State party leaders had allegedly taken Rs. 5.6cr as bribe to get a Thiruvananthapuram medical college recognized by the Medical Council of India (MCI). Though state BJP chief Kummanem Rajasekheran denied the charges, an internal inquiry later named RS Vinod, state convenor of BJP's cooperative cell, guilty.
And then the violence
As the scam rocked local politics, clashes erupted between BJP and CPM workers across the state. Leaders were attacked, houses and cars damaged. CPM leaders alleged BJP was trying to steer attention away from the allegations. Meanwhile, BJP denied involvement in the violence. On July 30, Edavakode was attacked allegedly by CPM workers when he was on his way home from a party meeting.
'Ready to hand over RSS worker murder case to CBI'
The NHRC had earlier issued notice to the state Government to check growing incidents of political violence in Kerala. RSS had also requested intervention by the Centre. On the matter, Vijayan said in the assembly that the government was ready to hand over the case of Edavakode to the CBI, adding BJP's internal report will be taken into consideration by Vigilance.
