Attack on Health Minister Veena George ‘Brutal, Premeditated’: M V Govindan

Kannur: M V Govindan, State Secretary of CPI(M), has termed the attack on Health Minister Veena George in Kannur as a “brutal and premeditated act,” describing it as unprecedented incident in Kerala’s political history.

He said the assault, which took place at the Kannur railway station, marked the first time a woman minister in the state had been subjected to such violence. M V Govindan was responding to the incident in which the Health Minister was injured during protests by activists of the KSU.

According to him, the simultaneous protests by BJP, Youth Congress, Muslim League, and KSU indicate that the attack was planned in advance. He stated that political opponents who are unable to confront issues democratically are resorting to violence through criminal elements.

He further accused the United Democratic Front (UDF) of adopting what he described as the “Kanagolu theory,” claiming it encourages targeting political opponents through intimidation and violence. He added that such tactics reflect an inability to engage in democratic debate or political fight.

Describing the incident, the state secretary said KSU activists rushed toward the minister at the railway station, and that the situation escalated into physical assault. He also referred to a previous incident in which protesters entered the minister’s official residence and placed a wreath there, suggesting a pattern of intimidation aimed at threatening her life.

He further claimed that the UDF is employing in Kerala the same methods they used against Left leaders in West Bengal and Tripura. By targeting a woman minister in this manner, he said, Congress-affiliated organisations are attempting to vitiate the political atmosphere in the state.

M V Govindan asserted that Kerala society would not accept such actions against elected representatives. He announced that the party has called for statewide protests in response to what it described as a planned attack. He also stated that the CPI(M) would confront the issue politically and defend the government against what he termed escalating violence by UDF activists.