CPI(M)-RSS bush fire reaches Delhi

The CPI(M)-RSS war in Kerala spilled over into the capital today when AK Gopalan Bhawan, the national headquarters of the CPI(M) here, was attacked, allegedly by the RSS workers.

There have been a series of clashes between the workers of the RSS and the CPI(M) in the north Kerala town of Kannur during the past one week.

A group of people broke into the building and stoned the office today. They also damaged the car of CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury. The Central Committee of the party was meeting when the attack took place. The attack left four members of the committee injured, the party said.

Yechury later charged police with inaction. "Though there were some indications that such an incident could take place, police failed to prevent it," he said. "The attack was characteristic of the RSS," he said. Senior party leaders like Subhashini Ali strongly protested the attack.

The situation has been so fraught in Kannur that Malayalam superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal had to appeal to the people to stay calm. Violent clashes between the cadres of the ruling CPI(M) and the BJP started on Wednesday. Six deaths have been reported.

"We are prepared to do anything to see that calm returns. I also think that as soon as calm returns in Kannur, a delegation of the film fraternity should visit the affected areas and speak to the people to see that these things are not repeated," Mammootty said.

Last Thursday, three people were killed when the workers of the two outfits had clashed in Thalassery town and its surrounding areas following an attack on an RSS leader, Sumesh. A CPI(M) activist's body was recovered on Friday.

The BJP observed Friday as a "protest day" alleging that the CPI(M) had unleashed a violent campaign against the saffron party. Leader of Opposition Oommen Chandy, meanwhile, began a fast in Kannur on Sunday, appealing for peace.

In Delhi, the CPI(M) Politburo said this morning's attack here was the handiwork of the BJP-RSS combine and was "planned".

In a statement after the incident, the Politburo demanded immediate arrest of the culprits and said the policemen present did not do much to control the situation.

"The attackers brought stones with them and damaged the office building and the vehicles parked outside. This unprovoked violence should be condemned by all political parties and such attacks can have no place in our politics," said the Politburo.

The CPI expressed solidarity with its ally and asked the government to prevent such attacks and take stringent action against the perpetrators.