Kerala Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Wednesday criticised the V.D. Satheesan-led state government over alleged security lapses during the visits of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan. He warned that such incidents could have implications for Centre-state relations, while stressing that the BJP remained willing to cooperate with the state government on Kerala’s development.

Chandrasekhar said the BJP had offered cooperation to the new government from the time Satheesan took oath as Chief Minister, with the objective of supporting the welfare and overall development of Kerala. He also referred to the Centre’s assurance during Shah’s visit to the state last week that it was prepared to extend all possible assistance to Kerala. However, he said the state government also had a responsibility to ensure adequate security for senior constitutional authorities.

The BJP leader referred to a Youth Congress protest that took place in Kollam during Shah’s visit, when two Kerala Ministers were also present. The BJP has described the incident as a serious security lapse and questioned the arrangements made for the Union Home Minister’s movement. Chandrasekhar said the matter could not be dismissed lightly and that the BJP would raise it with the state government.

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Chandrasekhar also pointed to another security-related incident during Vice-President Radhakrishnan’s visit to Thiruvananthapuram on September 27. He said both incidents were serious and alleged that a state Minister was responsible for the breach, without naming the Minister. The BJP leader said the party would seek accountability and raise the matter with the state government.

The remarks come amid an ongoing political confrontation between the BJP and the Congress-led state government over the Youth Congress protest during Shah’s visit. The BJP has alleged that protesters were able to approach the route of the Union Home Minister’s convoy because of inadequate security arrangements. Kerala Police, however, have said the protesters neither obstructed the convoy nor came close enough to constitute a security breach.

Chandrasekhar said the issue should not be viewed merely as another political dispute between the BJP and the state government. He argued that ensuring proper security for constitutional authorities was a broader administrative responsibility and linked the matter to the Centre-state relationship. He reiterated that the BJP’s offer of cooperation for Kerala’s development remained unchanged, while saying the party would continue to seek accountability over the alleged lapses.

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