The chinks remained, but CPI(M) and BJP leaders in Thiruvananthapuram and Kottayam sat together on Tuesday to take the peace initiative launched by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to the grassroots.
At both the venues, the two sides displayed unity in their resolve to avoid political violence at any cost and act quickly if ever there was a threat of the rivalry between the two sides descenting into violence.
In the State capital, there was consensus to avoid provocative statements that could spur animosity among either group and the two sides pledged to extend all possible support towards the police in apprehending people who were responsible for the recent spate of clashes. However, in Kottayam, the issues related to the current spurt in violence in the district remained unresolved.
Speaking to mediapersons after the talks, CPI(M) Thiruvananthapuram district secretary Anavoor Nagappan and State committee member V. Sivankutty said that proactive efforts will be made by both parties to prevent any further attack on party offices and houses of party workers. They added that the district leaderships of the parties had also resolved to effectively intervene in differences that could crop up among party workers and defuse tension so as to prevent an escalation of such issues.
Expressing satisfaction at the discussion, BJP district president S. Suresh said that the CPI(M) leadership had been urged to isolate criminal elements in politics. He also reiterated the party’s stance for an independent probe by the police.
Alleging that BJP workers had been wrongfully targeted by the police in many cases, Mr. Suresh called for a relook into such actions. The party also called for measures to prevent anti-social activities on college campuses. He was accompanied by Rashtriya SwayamsevakSangh (RSS) south Kerala secretary V. Prasad Babu, among others.
Briefing the media after the talks in Kottayam, CPI(M) district secretary V.N. Vasavan and BJP district president N. Hari said both the parties had agreed to take steps to resolve bilateral issues at the grassroots level so that they would not snowball into major crises.
