Kerala CM Satheesan questions CPI(M)'s discomfort over Congress anti-BJP protests
Synopsis
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan publicly challenged the CPI(M) — the very party that runs the state government — asking why it grows rattled when Congress targets the BJP. His allegation that SFI activists deliberately provoked Youth Congress workers in Thiruvananthapuram, and that the CPI(M) and BJP are 'acting in a similar manner,' signals a sharp escalation in Kerala's three-way political rivalry.
Key Takeaways
Satheesan on 1 October 2026 questioned why CPI(M) was disturbed when Congress protested against the BJP .
Youth Congress had organised the protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the BJP over alleged interference in the electoral process.
Satheesan alleged SFI activists deliberately provoked Youth Congress workers during Wednesday night's protest in Thiruvananthapuram , with beer bottles and stones thrown at Congress workers.
He alleged the violence occurred with the CPI(M) leadership's knowledge and accused the BJP and Yuva Morcha of attempting to disturb the state's peace for several days.
The Chief Minister warned that strict legal action will follow any further attempts to create unrest, regardless of which organisation is responsible.
Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Thursday, 1 October 2026, sharply questioned why the Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] was growing restless whenever the Congress and its affiliated organisations staged protests against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state. The remarks came a day after violent incidents were reported in Thiruvananthapuram during a Youth Congress demonstration targeting Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the BJP.
The Provocation Allegation
CM Satheesan alleged that Students' Federation of India (SFI) activists — the student wing of the CPI(M) — deliberately provoked Youth Congress workers during the protest on Wednesday night. He claimed that beer bottles and stones were hurled at Youth Congress members, and asserted that these violent incidents occurred with the full knowledge of the CPI(M) leadership, describing them as a 'deliberate move' rather than a spontaneous flare-up.
CPI(M) and BJP Accused of Acting in Tandem
'When the Congress and its affiliated organisations are protesting against the BJP, why is the CPI(M) in Kerala becoming disturbed? Why does the CPI(M) feel threatened when the Congress is strongly taking on the Sangh Parivar?' Satheesan said. He further alleged that the BJP and its youth wing Yuva Morcha had been attempting for several days to destabilise the peaceful atmosphere in the state, and that Wednesday night's clashes were a continuation of those efforts. Satheesan alleged the developments showed that the CPI(M) and the BJP were acting in a similar manner — a charge the CPI(M) has not yet formally responded to.
Government's Warning on Law and Order
The Chief Minister made clear that the Kerala government would not tolerate violence or any attempt to manufacture unrest. 'Strong action will be taken if anyone tries to create an atmosphere of unrest,' he warned. He added that maintaining peace and ensuring the safety of citizens remained the government's core responsibility, and that no organisation — irrespective of political affiliation — would be permitted to take the law into its own hands. Those attempting to disrupt the normal life of the public, he said, would face strict legal action.
Background and Political Context
The Youth Congress had originally organised the protest to voice opposition to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and what the Congress alleges is a BJP-driven attempt to undermine India's electoral process. The protest turned contentious following the reported clashes in Thiruvananthapuram. The incident is the latest episode in a prolonged series of street-level confrontations in Kerala involving workers affiliated with the Congress, the BJP, and CPI(M)-linked organisations. Notably, Satheesan's broadside against the CPI(M) — the ruling party in the state — from the position of Chief Minister underscores the unusual political alignments at play in Kerala's three-cornered contest.
What Happens Next
With Satheesan issuing an explicit warning of legal action, police in Thiruvananthapuram are expected to face pressure to act swiftly against those responsible for Wednesday's violence. The CPI(M)'s response, if any, is likely to set the tone for the next phase of political mobilisation in the state ahead of upcoming electoral cycles.
Point of View
Not the BJP. By equating the CPI(M) with the BJP in conduct, he is sharpening the Congress's electoral differentiation ahead of the next assembly cycle. Yet the allegation also raises a question of governance accountability: if the CM knows CPI(M) leadership sanctioned Wednesday's violence, what explains the absence of immediate arrests? The warning of 'strict legal action' rings louder as political rhetoric than as administrative resolve unless followed by credible police action. Kerala's three-corner dynamic means every clash is simultaneously a street incident and an electoral signal — and all three parties know it.
NationPress
1 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kerala CM Satheesan criticise the CPI(M) over Congress protests?
CM V.D. Satheesan questioned why the CPI(M) appeared disturbed when Congress and its allied organisations held protests against the BJP, alleging that the reaction suggested the CPI(M) felt threatened by a strong Congress offensive against the Sangh Parivar. He made the remarks on 1 October 2026 following clashes in Thiruvananthapuram.
What happened during the Youth Congress protest in Thiruvananthapuram?
Violent incidents broke out in Thiruvananthapuram on Wednesday night during a Youth Congress protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the BJP. Satheesan alleged that SFI activists deliberately provoked Congress workers and that beer bottles and stones were thrown at Youth Congress members.
What did Satheesan allege about the CPI(M) leadership's role?
Satheesan alleged that Wednesday night's violence in Thiruvananthapuram took place with the knowledge of the CPI(M) leadership and was part of a deliberate strategy rather than a spontaneous incident. He also accused the BJP and Yuva Morcha of trying to disturb the state's peaceful atmosphere for several days prior.
What action has the Kerala government promised against those behind the violence?
CM Satheesan warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone attempting to create an atmosphere of unrest in Kerala. He said no organisation would be permitted to take the law into its own hands, and that ensuring public safety remained the government's primary responsibility.
Why did the Youth Congress organise the protest in the first place?
The Youth Congress organised the protest against Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar and the BJP, alleging that the BJP is attempting to undermine India's electoral process. The protest turned violent following the reported clashes with SFI workers in Thiruvananthapuram.
