New Delhi, Feb 2 (UNI) The "politics of violence" often pursued by the CPI(M) has helped BJP establish its toehold and also expand base in Kerala, senior Congress leader and former union Minister Vayalar Ravi has said here. "It is true. The CPI(M) is responsible for expansion of the BJP base in Kerala especially in Kannur region," Mr Ravi told UNI in an interview. "I have always said this to the CPI(M). I have said this in 1970s to senior CPI(M) leaders not to practice the politics of violence as this will lead Hindus towards the RSS because they believe in violence. This is not the case with Congress. Our party has always practiced a policy of inclusive policies," the senior Congress leader said. Dwelling about RSS activities of the past, Mr Ravi said, even in the past during 1980s, the RSS has been "active" in Kannur district and often there used to be "clashes" between the CPI-M cadres and RSS activists. "In 1982, when I was the Home Minister of Kerala, there used to be clashes. We always tried to handle things with firm hands. Once about 25-30 people were killed, things were turning serious......Our Chief Minister K Karunakaran gave me a free hand. I had then told CPI(M) leaders, please stay away from violence otherwise RSS will get sympathy and Hindus could turn to the RSS for protection also and exactly that's happened," he said. In 1980s, Mr Ravi said, there was a prominent RSS leader Mughandam (Nair) and in order to help bring normalcy, "I developed friendship with him, I told him please bring things under control, otherwise I will put you behind bars and use a provision of law that will force you fight a legal case life long". To a question, soft-speaking Mr Ravi said, "Mughandam used to laugh but slowly things came under control". Subsequently, he tried the same trick with CPI(M) leaders and pursued them to shun violence. "Violent politics encouraged RSS propagate their violent politics in Kerala and also propagate hardliner Hindutva agenda and ideologies, otherwise people of Kerala never liked the idea of confrontation with minorities". However, Mr Ravi said, "socially" people maintained their religious and cast differences. "Even I had to elope with my Catholic girlfriend to marry her and I did that with perfection," said 79-yea-old Ravi sporting a gracious smile. More UNI DEVN SB ADG 1210