Another sign of discord has cropped up within the opposition I.N.D.I.A. bloc, Congress leader Shashi Tharoor criticized the CPI (M) for the alleged attack by its student wing on the vehicle of Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan. Thiruvananthapuram MP called the police of the state under Communist rule "agents of lawlessness".
Taking to X, MP Shashi Tharoor said, "Disgraceful behaviour by SFI goons in blocking @KeralaGovernor Shri ArifMohdKhan Sahib’s car yesterday and assaulting his vehicle. His fury is entirely understandable. The police under Communist rule have been agents of lawlessness, complicit in the ruling party’s worst excesses."
"They allowed an assault on the Governor while allowing the manhandling of peaceful student demonstrators against the CM. Shameful," he said.
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On Monday, Student Federation of India (SFI) activists reportedly attacked the Governor's vehicle while he was on the way to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport to leave for New Delhi. SFI is the student wing of the Communist Party of India (Marxist).
After the alleged attack, Kerala Governor said, "Today the 'gundas' are trying to rule the roads of Thiruvananthapuram. When they came, I stopped my car and I got down (from my car). Why did they flee?... Because I do not wish to be pressurised by their tactics, therefore they are trying to threaten me... They hit my car from both sides..."
"Will they allow anyone to come near the car of the CM? Police knew them but what can the police do when the CM is directing them... It is the CM, he is conspiring and he is sending these people to hurt me physically... The collapse of the constitutional machinery cannot be allowed," he said.