Senior Congress leader and Opposition leader V D Satheesan has launched a sharp critique against the CPI(M), accusing the party of deliberately employing communal tactics identical to those used by the BJP and the Sangh Parivar. The controversy stems from a recent statement made by CPI(M) functionary A K Balan.
CPM Echoes BJP's Divisive Rhetoric, Says Satheesan
Satheesan strongly condemned Balan's claim that the Jamaat-e-Islami would control the Home Department if the Congress-led UDF came to power in Kerala. He asserted that this rhetoric is not an isolated comment but part of a calculated strategy. The opposition leader drew a direct parallel, stating that Balan's remark is strikingly similar to the extremist campaigns routinely run by the Sangh Parivar across India.
He reminded the public of a previous CPI(M) campaign during the Gujarat assembly elections, where it was alleged that Congress leader Ahmed Patel would become the chief minister if his party won. "Balan is employing the same Sangh Parivar tactic of creating anti-Muslim sentiment among majority communities to divide them," Satheesan charged.
A Deliberate Attempt to Sow Communal Discord
Questioning the logic behind Balan's allegation, Satheesan pointed to the long-standing political dynamics in Kerala. "During the four decades of Jamaat-e-Islami support to LDF, did Jamaat-e-Islami control the home department?" he asked, highlighting the inconsistency in the CPI(M)'s current stance.
He alleged that the statement was made with the full knowledge of the CPI(M) leadership and is part of a broader, worrying pattern. According to Satheesan, this becomes evident when Balan's comments are read alongside recent statements by SNDP Yogam leader Vellappally Natesan. He went so far as to claim that "Balan's statement is worse than what BJP did in Gujarat."
Congress Leaders Unite in Condemnation
Echoing Satheesan's concerns, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala also accused Balan of aiming to create communal division. "Balan echoes BJP's tone and language," Chennithala stated. He reminded voters that the UDF has been in power before, and the people of Kerala are well aware of its governance record.
Chennithala suggested that this campaign is ultimately run for the BJP's benefit and demanded clarity on whether such rhetoric now represents the official policy of the Left Democratic Front (LDF). He noted the ironic role reversal in Kerala's political discourse, saying, "BJP is saying things that the CPM should say and the CPM is saying things that the BJP should say."
Despite this charged atmosphere, both leaders expressed confidence in the UDF's prospects. Satheesan concluded with a firm belief that the enlightened electorate of Kerala will see through and decisively reject what he termed the CPI(M) leaders' hate campaign. He affirmed that there is no doubt about the UDF making a strong advance in the upcoming assembly elections.
