BJP Kerala chief slams CPI-M, says rule in state meant for goons and criminals

BJP Kerala president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Tuesday lashed out at the CPI(M)-led government in the state, alleging that its rule has become a haven for goons, hardcore criminals, and convicts.

Chandrasekhar condemned the CPI(M) for giving a celebratory farewell to eight party workers convicted in the 1994 brutal attack on Rajya Sabha MP C. Sadanandan Master, in which he lost both his legs. He also accused the police of enabling convicts in the TP Chandrasekharan murder case to consume alcohol under police escort at a bar.

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“It is shameful that the CPI(M) gave a heroic send-off to those convicted of such a heinous crime. The visuals of police guarding TP Chandrasekharan’s murder convicts as they drank liquor at a bar are a disgrace,” he said.

The BJP leader alleged that the LDF government has handed over control of the law and order machinery, as well as the Home Department, to party goons. “The events of the past two days clearly explain why law and order has collapsed in Kerala,” he added.

Chandrasekhar pointed out that the courts had reaffirmed the conviction of those who brutally attacked Sadanandan Master, yet the CPI(M) chose to glorify their return to prison with celebratory slogans. Mattanur MLA and former state Health Minister K.K. Shailaja was among those present at the send-off.

“This clearly reflects the CPI(M)’s endorsement of political violence,” Chandrasekhar said. “This is not the first time the party has glorified convicted criminals. When one of the convicts in the TP murder case died, he was called a ‘heroic martyr.’ The CPI(M) even builds martyrs’ squares to honour such criminals. Their stance in the Periya double murder case shows a similar pattern.”

Reports confirmed that the CPI(M) organized a public farewell for the eight convicts at the Thalassery court premises and later in Mattanur, Kannur. A video of the event, showing party workers shouting slogans in support of the convicts, has since gone viral, sparking a political uproar.

More recently, a video surfaced showing TP murder case convicts Kodi Suni, Muhammad Shafi, and Shinoj drinking liquor near a vehicle parked outside Victoria Bar in Thalassery — while allegedly under police custody. Reports claim the convicts were escorted to the bar by police officers during a court lunch break.

According to standard procedures, convicts outside prison must remain under constant police supervision. However, the video shows no police presence, as the convicts casually consumed liquor and food. It was further reported that the liquor was brought and served by the convicts’ friends, raising serious questions about the role and conduct of the police.