Kerala CM’s Facebook post on general strike courts row

Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 28 (PTI) Kerala Chief Minister andCPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan’s Facebook post on thenationwide strike called by Central trade unions on September2 has courted controversy with the BJP coming out against it. Reacting to it, state BJP president Kummanam Rajasekharanquestioned the Chief Minister’s call "in support of thestrike", a day after he appealed to state government employeesto avoid Onam festivities at office premises during work hoursas it could cause inconvenience to the public. The BJP leader said Vijayan should first rein in tradeunion leaders of his party who strike work and conduct unionactivities during office hours, rather than imposingrestrictions on Onam festivities. BJP state general secretary K Surendran alleged that theChief Minister, by seeking support for the strike, hasviolated law. "Chief Minister, who has to ensure freedom of movement ofcitizens, is seeking support for the strike," he said. Vijayan wrote on Facebook that the CPI(M) centralcommittee has called for a general strike on September 2 andas part of its online campaign, by clicking on a link, one canexpress solidarity with the cause. He had yesterday asked state government employees toensure that Onam celebrations were not held at office premisesduring work hours as it was "not appropriate". PTI JRK BNRC