Kerala minister, Left candidate attacked with chair, stones during live TV debate

Kollam: Kerala's Labour Minister Shibhu Baby John and his opponent candidate from the Left Front N Vijayan Pillai were attacked while participating in an election debate organised by a local TV channel by a violent mob on Thursday.

According to reports, the mob also pelted stones at them during which John and his Left opponent Pillai were injured.

John was immediately rushed to a hospital in Kollam. He later told reporters that the incident occurred shortly after a debate betweeen the three main candidates began.

Pillai, a candidate of the opposition Left Democratic Front, was injured on his legs when he was attacked with chairs. He was hospitalised too.

"After about 15 minutes, while I was replying to questions from the audience, a commotion broke out and in the melee, I was injured on my right forehand when a stone was thrown on me. There is a wound," said John.

John, an engineer by profession who represents the Revolutionary Socialist Party, is contesting from Chavara assembly constituency, from where he has won twice in the past.

Chavara was earlier represented by John's father, late Baby John, a trade union leader and a minister.