Political violence in Kerala impediment to development: Sharma

Participating in the Delhi BJP's Janaraksha Yatra against political violence in the Left-ruled Kerala, Union minister Mahesh Sharma alleged today that it was an impediment in tapping the "unlimited" tourism possibilities in the state.
The march, which began at the state BJP's office on Pandit Pant Marg, was participated by senior party leaders and ended in a sit-in near the CPI(M) office on Bhai Veer Singh Marg.
Sharma said violence and development cannot go together and added that "freedom" from "leftwing thinking" was needed for the development of Kerala.
"There are unlimited possibilities for development and tourism in Kerala. But the leftwing violence is an obstruction to it," he was quoted as saying in a statement by the party.

BJP's national general secretary (organisation) Ramlal said the party workers will "expose the leftwing violence" in Kerala.
"RSS and BJP workers are fighting for a cause in Kerala but the leftists who have lost their ground are getting their political opponents killed," he said.

Delhi BJP chief Manoj Tiwari and national vice president Shyam Jaju and other leaders too addressed the party workers.
The BJP is organising protests in Delhi under the party's fortnight-long Janaraksha Yatra. BJP chief Amit Shah launched the campaign in Kerala's Kannur district on Tuesday.
Shah is expected to participate in one of these protests at the CPI(M) office in Delhi on Sunday, party leaders said.

Kerala has been witnessing violence involving the workers of the BJP-RSS combine and the CPI(M). The two opposing sides have faced killings of their workers and attacks on their offices.
Several political killings have been reported in the state since the Left Democratic Front government led by the CPI(M) came to power in May 2016. Both sides charge the other for the violence.