CPI(M) govt behaving like 'Saddam Hussein's regime': Giriraj

Union minister Giriraj Singh today slammed the CPI(M)-led LDF government in Kerala over political violence, alleging "terrorism" and "goonda raj" were prevailing in the state which is resembling the erstwhile regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq.
A day after an RSS worker was hacked to death allegedly by CPI(M) activists in Kannur district, the Minister of State for Micro, Small and MediumEnterprises said he would report to the Centre about the 'violent' incidents happening against BJP-Sangh workers in the state.
Underlining that India is a democratic country which gives equal opportunity to everybody, Singh, who is touring the state, alleged that the CPI(M)-led government in Kerala was behaving like erstwhile regime of Saddam Hussein in Iraq.

"Ours is a multi-party democratic system. Everybody has right to oppose issues, but here in Kerala, if you oppose, you will be killed," he said in Kochi.
"India is a democratic country but there is no democratic rule in Kerala... (it is) like terrorist behaviour... You remember the name of Saddam Hussein?," he said.
"Democracy gives equal opportunity for everybody. But there is no equal opportunity. This government doesn't believe in democracy. There is goonda raj," Singh said.

Earlier in the day at Kottayam, Singh alleged that there was no freedom of speech in Kerala.
"There is onlyterrorism and goonda raj prevailing here," he told reporters after visiting the BJPworkers undergoing treatment at a hospital there after they were allegedlybeing attacked by CPI(M) men at Kumarakom two days ago.

Singh said this was not simply a state-level law and order problem, but an issue of concern for the entire country.
The BJP had observed a dawn-to-dusk strike in Kottayam district yesterday over the alleged attack on its two gram panchayat members in Kumarakom by a 28-member gang reportedly headed by local CPI(M) leaders.
An RSS worker was hacked to death, allegedly by CPI(M) activists, at Ramanthalinear Payyanur town in Kannur district yesterday.
The BJP had observed a dawn-to-dusk strike in Kannur and nearby Mahe today to protest the killing.