CPM angry at turban honour for Rajnath

CPM legislator V Shivankutty said Suresh is the first accused in the murder of CPM worker Vishnu in 2008. “BJP has allowed the murderer to place the turban on the minister’s head. The incident shows any murderer could get near a Union minister while the BJP is in power,” he added.

RSS worker Suresh approached Singh when he was about to get into a car after visiting Padmanabhaswamy temple. From among party leaders, Suresh moved to place the turban on the head of Singh. Although this was not in the programme schedule, Suresh got the support of the BJP leaders.

On the other hand, BJP state president V Muraleedharan said there was nothing unusual in Suresh presenting a turban to the Union Minister. “This is not a serious issue. He was not convicted and until the outcome of the final appeal in the Supreme Court, we cannot say he is a murderer. The party does not think that a probe into the issue is necessary,’’ he said.

The BJP state president added that several CPM leaders, including politburo members Pinarayi Vijayan and Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, had shared dais with ministers at a time they faced murder charges. “Former chief minister E K Nayanar used to boast about his involvement in the death of a policeman during an agitation,’’ said Muraleedharan.

Home Minister Chennithala said there was no security lapse on the part of Kerala police. “The NSG was in charge of the security of the minister. The RSS leader placed the turban on the minister’s head because the latter allowed the act. It was up to the minister (Singh) to decide who should place the turban on his head,’’ said Chennithala.