CPI Leader Binoy Viswam Firmly Rejects Votes from RSS, SDPI, and Jamaat-e-Islami for LDF
In a significant political statement, CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam made it unequivocally clear on Saturday that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) does not desire votes from religious fanatics, specifically naming the RSS, SDPI, and Jamaat-e-Islami. This declaration comes amidst a notable lack of consensus within the CPM, the leading party in the coalition, regarding its stance on the latter two organizations.
Internal Divergence Within CPM Leadership
Viswam's remarks, delivered in response to media inquiries in Thrissur, highlight a growing rift within the CPM's state leadership. While Viswam took a hardline position, other senior CPM figures have adopted more ambiguous or contradictory stances. For instance, CPM leader E P Jayarajan previously asserted that his party would not decline votes from any groups, emphasizing a pragmatic electoral approach. "As a party facing elections, we won't say we don't need votes of any groups... No party does that," Jayarajan stated in a recent interview.
Furthermore, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and CPM state secretary M V Govindan notably avoided addressing whether the LDF would accept votes from the SDPI during their interactions on Saturday, adding to the confusion and internal debate.
Opposition Criticism and Accusations
Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan seized upon this inconsistency, ridiculing the CPM for its apparent willingness to accept votes from the SDPI and PDP. "If any party supports CPM, CPM leaders will say that party is not communal. It looks as though CPM believes that the party has been vested with powers to certify which party is secular or communal," Satheesan remarked, highlighting the perceived hypocrisy in the CPM's position.
Viswam's Strong Condemnation of RSS and Congress
Expanding on his initial statement, Viswam elaborated that the LDF does not require votes from the RSS, which he accused of targeting minorities and opposing secular values. He also launched a sharp attack on the Congress party, dismissing allegations of an understanding between the LDF and BJP as baseless lies. "Congress leaders are making such an allegation in order to cover up their deals with BJP and other communal forces," Viswam asserted.
He employed a vivid analogy to criticize the Congress, comparing their tactics to pickpockets at festival grounds who steal money and then shout about thieves to divert attention. "No one will believe such baseless allegations of Congress. Congress in Kerala have reached an understanding with BJP, squandering their legacy of Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru," Viswam concluded, reinforcing his party's commitment to secular principles while accusing rivals of compromising theirs.
