In a sharp critique of the ruling party's political strategy, the chief of Jamaat-e-Islami's Kerala unit has publicly called on the Communist Party of India (Marxist) to abandon what he describes as a 'soft Hindutva' approach. P Mujeeb Rahman, the state Ameer, accused the CPM of deliberately fostering communal divisions to secure majority votes, a tactic he claims the public has repeatedly rejected.
Allegations of Communal Campaigning
Addressing a press conference in Kozhikode on Wednesday, Rahman outlined his serious concerns. He stated that the CPM's campaign for the recent local body elections was centrally focused on targeting Jamaat-e-Islami. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and party state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan were accused of using the organisation as a primary pretext to create sharp communal polarisation among voters.
Rahman pointed out that this was not a new strategy. He claimed it had been attempted and failed in earlier electoral contests, specifically mentioning the Palakkad byelection and the Nilambur assembly segment. Despite previous rejections by the electorate, Rahman alleged the CPM redeployed the same polarising tactics in the local body polls, only to face public disapproval once again.
A Call for Course Correction and Coalition Concerns
The Jamaat-e-Islami leader issued a clear warning to the Marxist party. He urged the CPM to objectively assess the people's verdict and fundamentally rethink its reliance on polarisation politics. Rahman emphasized that failure to do so would be dangerous for both the party and the social fabric of Kerala.
Clarifying his organisation's stance, Rahman said Jamaat-e-Islami supports a Kerala where both the Left and Right political fronts can coexist. His criticism extended to specific actions of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government:
- He criticised the Chief Minister for praising SNDP Yogam leader Vellappally Natesan, whom Rahman accused of delivering hate speeches targeting Malappuram and the Muslim community.
- He took issue with the CM allegedly portraying Malappuram negatively in an interview with an English newspaper in Delhi.
- Rahman cited the state government's decision to invite Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to the Ayyappa Sangamam event.
- He questioned the government's move to sign the central PM SHRI school scheme without consulting its coalition partners.
- He also referenced former minister A K Balan's statement that the home department would be handed to Jamaat if the UDF came to power.
Based on these points, Rahman posed a critical question: Should the CPM be engaging in acts that ultimately pave the way for the Sangh Parivar?
Historical Context and Press Conference
Providing a historical backdrop to the current friction, Rahman revealed that Jamaat-e-Islami leaders had held discussions with senior CPM figures in the past regarding electoral support. He noted meetings with Kodiyeri Balakrishnan at the AKG Centre and, earlier, with then party secretary Pinarayi Vijayan at the Alappuzha guest house in March 2011.
The press conference was also attended by Jamaat-e-Islami state secretaries Shihab Pookkottur and Abdul Hakeem Nadvi, along with assistant secretary Samad Kunnakkavu, underscoring the significance of the statements made.
