Communal forces still exist in Kerala, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan supports AK Balan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has backed AK Balan's statement that if the UDF comes to power, it will create a dangerous situation of them working together with organisations like Jamaat-e-Islami. The Chief Minister clarified that whoever speaks communalism will be opposed and Balan was speaking by pointing to Kerala's past experiences.

"Communal forces are still present in Kerala. They are not raising their heads today. The present government can deal with them. That is the difference between the LDF and the UDF. Any communalism is a danger to the country. That is what Balan was trying to say. How is pointing out the experience of Kerala appeasing the majority communalism? That is the propaganda method of Jamaat-e-Islami, which is part of the minority communalism. Opposing the RSS. Are you opposing Hindus? Opposing Jamaat-e-Islami and SDPI. Does that mean you are opposing Muslims?" the Chief Minister asked.

"During the Marad riots, A.K. Antony did not take Kunhalikutty with him because he was afraid of the RSS. I did not visit Marad after consulting anyone. The UDF was in a state of submission to communalism at that time," Pinarayi Vijayan said.

A.K. Balan's statement that the Home Department would be controlled by Jamaat-e-Islami if the UDF came to power had sparked a major political controversy. Jamaat-e-Islami had alleged that the CPM was trying to create communal divisions with the aim of the elections. The Chief Minister came out in support of Balan in response to this.