Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said stern action will be taken against those responsible for the “premeditated attack” on Thiruvananthapuram Mayor V.K. Prasanth.
According to him, Mr. Prasanth suffered significant injuries and had a miraculous escape from a serious injury to his spinal code, which could have potentially rendered him paralysed. The “unprecedented” incident cannot be dismissed lightly. “The violent incident was orchestrated at the behest of the RSS, which unleashed antisocial elements at the council hall. The BJP councillors joined in to attack the Mayor and other LDF councillors without any provocation. After attacking the Mayor, the group attacked some women councillors. The shameful incident cannot be justified at all,” he alleged.
Echoing the views, Mr. Prasanth alleged that the attack had been planned in advance by the BJP to mar the second anniversary observance of the council. He claimed that the achievements of the LDF-ruled local body during the last two years could have prompted the BJP to unleash violence to divert public focus. The incident has come at a time when the Corporation was gearing up to embark on its next set of projects. According to the Mayor, with him having called a special council meet on November 27 to specifically discuss the problems of each ward, the BJP cannot accuse the ruling front of functioning in a unilateral and undemocratic manner.
