CPI(M) accuses Satheesan of stoking minority communalism for votes by legitimising JIH

Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] State Secretary M.V. Govindan has accused Leader of the Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, of “imperilling Kerala’s secular polity by brazenly stoking minority communalism.” 

Mr. Govindan told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram that Mr. Satheesan bolstered Hindutva forces by seeking to legitimise the “Islamist politics” of the Jamaat-e-Islami-Hind (JIH)-Kerala. He accused Mr. Satheesan of sacrificing communal amity at the altar of electoral expediency for a “few votes”. 

Mr. Govindan pointed out an alleged dichotomy between the JIH’s refusal to abandon its pursuit of an Islamic State in India, governed by Islamic law rather than the Constitution, and Mr. Satheeshan’s refrain that the organisation has abandoned its founding principles to integrate itself with the political mainstream. 

Mr. Govindan said Mr. Satheesan has emerged as a brand ambassador and apologist for the JIH, thereby fueling majority communalism and identity politics in society. “The JIH Emir has repeatedly reasserted the organisation’s Islamist idealist moorings, belying Mr. Satheesan’s claims”, he said. 

PM Modi’s visit 

The CPI(M) slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Thiruvananthapuram to applaud the BJP’s control of the Municipal Corporation as an exercise in smoke and mirrors.

“People of Thiruvananthapuram feel cheated. The BJP, which had emerged as the single largest party in the Corporation Council with no majority to speak of, had promised voters that Mr. Modi would make some big-ticket announcement for the city if the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) fared well at the hustings. Instead, Mr. Modi made a political speech and flew back. He pulled the same disappearing act after visiting Wayanad landslide disaster spot and doing nothing for the affected populace”, he added. 

Rapid rail

Mr. Govindan said the CPI(M) welcomes any initiative, including that of “Metro Man” E. Sreedharan, to create a mass rapid transport system in Kerala to enhance connectivity.

“Unlike the Congress, the LDF is for development. The government made Vizhinjam port a reality despite street violence, attacks on police stations, and wanton violence initiated by the Congress to thwart the project. Now, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has launched the second, third, and fourth phases of the international transhipment port’s expansion,” he added.