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CPM, BJP on same page over Muslim League's communal status, but CPI differs

  •  Is Muslim Leage a communal party? CPI differs with CPM
  • The League had risen above communal politics on numerous occasions in the past:  K E Ismail
CPM CPI differ over Muslim Leagues communal status

 

 

 

After the emphatic victory of PK Kunjalikkutty, the UDF candidate and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) general secretary, in Malappuram by-poll, the CPM blamed communal polarization for its poll debacle. Senior CPM leader and Devaswom Minister courted controversy by calling Malappuram a hub of minority communalism. 
 

Related: Malappuram by-polls: CPM happy with surge in vote share, CPI wants introspection
 

The BJP also attributed the credits of Kunjalikkutty's victory to Muslim League's communal moorings. But K E Ismail, the CPI national executive member, clarified that his party had not reached the conclusion that Muslim League was a communal party. The League had risen above communal politics on numerous occasions in the past.  A party which carries religion in its name will naturally have a tinge of communalism, he said.

 

Meanwhile Minister KT Jaleel rejected the allegations that Malappuram was a hub of communalism. Hindus and Muslims live in perfect harmony in the district, he added. "I don't think Kadkampally Surendran would say so," Jaleel said referring to the controversial statement of Surendrdan.


Under severe criticism for his statement that paints the whole district as communal, Surendran said he was a victim of misquoting. The minister said he was referring to the communalism of Muslim League and not Malappuram. "Muslim League is deliberately creating confusion by misinterpreting my statement," he said.
 

Related: Will look for other options: IUML warns Congress in Kerala
 

The CPM had always found itself in a difficult position whenever it faced with the question of communal credentials of the Muslim League. There were allegations that the CPM was soft on Muslim League during elections and there was a whiff in the air last year that both the parties may strike an electoral deal in 2016. Finally, the CPM reached a delicately balanced statement by calling communal party, but not as brawny as Social Democratic Party of India, Jamaat-e-Islami and the RSS.

 

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