CPI(M) leader A. Vijayaraghavan (file)
| Photo Credit: S. MAHINSHA
The ruling CPI(M) leaders on Monday (December 23, 2024) rallied behind the party’s politburo member A. Vijayaraghavan in the raging political row over his remarks on the Lok Sabha poll victories of Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from Wayanad.
During a recent party event in Wayanad, Mr. Vijayaraghavan reportedly claimed that Mr. Gandhi secured victory in the high-range segment twice with the support of communal forces and that extremist elements were present at Ms. Vadra’s campaign rallies.
Prominent Marxist party leaders on Monday said that Mr. Vijayaraghavan did not say anything wrong or against the party’s policy and they would oppose minority communalism and majority communalism alike.
They also reiterated the charges raised by Mr. Vijayaraghavan against the Congress and accused the grand-old party of entering into an “unholy nexus” with communal outfits for electoral gains.
The CPI(M) leadership came out in support of the politburo member a day after the Congress and their United Democratic Front (UDF) ally, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), alleged that Mr. Vijayaraghavan was attempting to provoke majority communalism in society.
When his reaction was sought by the media, CPI(M) State secretary M.V. Govindan said what Mr. Vijayaraghavan had said was accurate and alleged that communal outfits such as the SDPI and Jamaat-e-Islami were “acting like front partners of the UDF.”
He charged that their “nexus” was evident during the recent Palakkad Assembly bypoll.
The criticism against the Jamaat-e-Islami was not against the Muslim community and the opposition against the RSS was not against the Hindus, he said, adding that the CPI(M) would not show any compromise in opposing both the minority and majority communalism.
Strongly supporting Mr. Vijayaraghavan, senior CPI(M) leader and LDF convener T.P. Ramakrishnan said the leader had criticised the stand of the Congress party, alleging it forges a nexus with communal forces during elections.
“Mr. Vijayaraghavan has not taken any communal stand. His remarks were also not meant to promote communalism. He has taken a stand that can safeguard society from communal forces,” he said.
Senior leader and former minister P.K. Sreemathi also said Mr. Vijayaraghavan had not said anything other than the Marxist party’s policy and stand.
Pointing out that communal and extremist forces are gaining strength in the State, she said they cannot be allowed to flourish in Kerala.
“Whoever it is… whether it is Hindu communalism or Muslim extremism, the CPI(M) will take a strong stand against it,” she said.
She also accused the Congress of forging ties with communal forces during elections.
On Sunday, Congress leaders accused Mr. Vijayaraghavan of making comments against Mr. Gandhi and Ms. Vadra to “please” the Sangh Parivar, while the IUML alleged that he was attempting to provoke majority communalism in society.
AICC general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal strongly criticised Mr. Vijayaraghavan, accusing him of using “communal” language that even the Sangh Parivar might hesitate to employ against Mr. Gandhi. Mr. Venugopal also questioned whether the CPI(M) shared the same opinion.
Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan echoed similar sentiments, charging the CPI(M) with pushing the same communal agenda propagated by the Sangh Parivar.
Harshly criticising Mr. Vijayaraghavan, KPCC president K. Sudhakaran accused the ruling CPI(M) of “surrendering to extreme communalism and providing support to the RSS in the State.”
Published – December 23, 2024 03:14 pm IST