Kerala CPM should explain political murder charge: Narendra Modi

Mumbai/Thiruvananthapuram: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader and Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday asked the Kerala CPI-M to explain the controversial speech of Idukki District Secretary MM Mani, where he stated that there had been instances of the Left eliminating its political rivals.

Mani, at a public meeting at Thodupuzha in Idukki district on Saturday evening, reminded his audience of how some of the rivals of the party in Idukki district had been eliminated in the past.

Seeking an answer from the CPI-M over the issue, Modi said, "A CPM leader has publicly said they assassinate their rivals. Where is the NHRC? We must speak out."

Idukki District Secretary MM Mani in a speech stated that the Left has a history of murdering its rivals.

CPI-M, however, has tried to play down the matter by calling it a mistake. "MM Mani's speech in a public meeting was wrong. It was a deviation from our party's stance. Mani has given a clarification on the issue and such things should not be repeated," said CPI-M Kerala Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan.

Mani's statement has added to the woes of the party which is already on the defensive in Kerala with some of its activists arrested in connection with the murder of party rebel and RMP leader TP Chandrasekharan.

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