The local BJP unit has alleged the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) is behind Sathosh’s murder and has called for a dawn-to-dusk hartal in the district on Thursday. They have also demanded an explanation from chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, whose constituency of Dharmadam, is close to the site of the attack. The CPI(M) has also condemned the attack and Pinarayi area secretary K Manoharan said in a statement that if at all any CPI(M) worker is found to be involved in this brutal murder, the party would not support them.