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As the political row over CPI(M) politburo member A Vijayaraghavan’s remarks on Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi’s victory from Wayanad raged one, the party leadership extended their support to him.
The CPI(M) leadership came out in Vijayaraghavan’s support after the Congress and their United Democratic Front (UDF) ally, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), alleged that Vijayaraghavan was attempting to provoke majority communalism in society.
Reacting to UDF members’ allegations, CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan said what Vijayaraghavan said was accurate and alleged that communal outfits such as SDPI and Jamaat-e-Islami were acting like UDF’s alliance partners.
He alleged their nexus was evident in the recent Palakkad Assembly by-election.
“When we criticise Jamaat-e-Islami, they say we are criticising Muslims and when we criticise RSS, they say it’s against Hindus. Both majority and minority communalism are coming strongly against the CPI(M). We are not ready to compromise on this,” Govindan accused the UDF.
“The majority in the Muslim community are those who stand for secular values,” he added.
According to Govindan, the criticism against the Jamaat-e-Islami was not against the Muslim community and the opposition against the RSS was not against the Hindus, he said, adding that the CPI(M) would not show any compromise in opposing both the minority and majority communalism.
He said this will “generate long-term political setbacks inside Congress and (Indian Union) Muslim League”.
“IUML says that they are a party that is standing against communalism. But we feel that UDF’s alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami, which demands an Islamic state, will affect Muslim League also,” he said.
Other prominent party members also said that Vijayaraghavan didn’t say anything wrong or against the party’s policy. They also reiterated that they would oppose any communalism alike, be it minority or majority one.
Last week, at a party event in Wayanad, Vijayaraghavan said that Rahul secured victory in the high-range segment twice with the support of communal forces and that extremist elements were present at Priyanka Gandhi’s campaign rallies.
Strongly supporting Vijayaraghavan, senior CPI(M) leader and convener of the ruling Left Democratic Front TP Ramakrishnan said Vijayaraghavan had criticised the stand of the Congress party alleging it forges a nexus with communal forces during elections.
“Vijayaraghavan has not taken any communal stand. His remarks were also not meant to promote communalism. He has taken a stand that can safeguard society from communal forces,” Radhakrishnan said.
Senior leader and former minister PK Sreemathi also said Vijayaraghavan did not state anything other than the Marxist party’s policy and stand.
Pointing out that communal and extremist forces are gaining strength in the state, she said they cannot be allowed to flourish in Kerala.
“Whoever it is.. . whether it is Hindu communalism or Muslim extremism, the CPI(M) will take a strong stand against it,” she said.
She also accused the Congress of forging ties with communal forces during elections.