At least 16 people were injured in clashes that broke out between workers of the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Monday evening in Kattaikonam in Kerala's Thiruvananthapuram district. PTI reported that both the parties have called for a hartal in the district on Tuesday. However, party leaders said they will not block vehicles, adding that schools and examinations will not be affected. This comes ahead of the state assembly elections, which will be held on May 16.

According to The Times of India, the violence started after a torch rally held by BJP activists against the state government's draft master plan of the city. The saffron party has held that the implementation of the plan would result in the displacement of hundreds of people. As the party workers were returning from the march, a few Left activists pelted stones at them, which led to violent clashes in which former BJP state president V Muraleedharan and some police personnel were injured. As many as four police vehicles and several shops in the area were also damaged in the incident.