Thiruvananthapuram, Oct. 12 -- In Kerala's political tensions, top BJP leaders have accused the ruling CPI(M) of violence against their party workers during a peaceful protest against the alleged Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa temple gold theft.
The clashes, which erupted in Ettumanoor, have drawn sharp criticism from the BJP, which claims the incident exposes the government's panic over mounting corruption allegations.
Union Minister Rajeev Chandrasekhar led the attack on the ruling party, alleging that the CPI(M), after "looting the state exchequer," has now turned to "plundering temples" and silencing dissent through intimidation and street violence.
"If the CPI(M) thinks it can crush dissent through thuggery, they are mistaken. The BJP will...