Mon Sep 22 15:55:19 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary of the provided text, followed by a rewritten version as a news article:

**Summary:**

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] is accusing Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar of mistreating journalists who were asking about the death of BJP ward councillor K. Anil Kumar. CPI(M) alleges Chandrasekhar verbally attacked a journalist and made threats when questioned about the circumstances of the death and perceived internal party issues. The CPI(M) also cites past instances of Chandrasekhar making controversial statements, including one regarding the entry of two chief ministers into a religious site. BJP sources close to Chandrasekhar defend his actions, stating he was exercising his right not to answer inappropriate questions during a time of mourning, and suggested the questioning was politically motivated.

**News Article:**

**Kerala BJP Chief Faces Criticism for Treatment of Journalists Following Councillor’s Death**

**Thiruvananthapuram, September 22, 2025** – The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] has launched a scathing attack on Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Kerala State president Rajeev Chandrasekhar, accusing him of “bullying and intimidation” of journalists following the suspected suicide of BJP Thirumala ward councillor, K. Anil Kumar.

The CPI(M) alleges that Chandrasekhar reacted angrily to questions from a journalist regarding the circumstances surrounding Kumar’s death during a press conference held shortly after he and other BJP leaders visited Kumar’s family. V. Joy, CPI(M) district secretary, claimed Chandrasekhar’s outburst was an attempt to deflect from internal party problems exposed by the tragedy. He further criticized Chandrasekhar for demeaning a journalist and questioned whether he treated journalists on his own news channel similarly.

General Education Minister V. Sivankutty, a CPI(M) State committee member, also alleged that Chandrasekhar’s statements often carry an element of physical threat, noting reports of BJP workers attacking journalists covering the councillor’s death. The CPI(M) also pointed to a previous controversy where Chandrasekhar threatened to mobilize BJP workers and Hindus to prevent the Chief Ministers of Kerala and Tamil Nadu from attending a religious event.

However, sources close to Chandrasekhar defended his actions, asserting that he was simply refusing to answer what he considered to be insensitive and politically motivated questions during a period of mourning. They stated that Chandrasekhar had merely requested journalists to show respect for Kumar’s family and memory. Furthermore, these sources claim Chandrasekhar believes there is a conspiracy, involving the police and CPI(M) government, behind the circumstances leading to Kumar’s death.

The controversy has ignited a political firestorm in Kerala, with the CPI(M) demanding a public apology from Chandrasekhar for his alleged misconduct. The incident is likely to further escalate tensions between the two parties ahead of upcoming local elections.

Read More