Bakrid holiday controversy takes centre stage in by-poll bound Nilambur

MALAPPURAM: LDF took a defensive stance after UDF turned the government's Bakrid holiday announcement gaffe into a political tool in a religiously volatile Nilambur, where the by-polls are around the corner.

Bakrid is celebrated on Saturday in Kerala after the moon sighting got delayed. According to the government calendar, the holiday for Bakrid is on Friday. Some Muslim religious organizations criticized the government for waiting till the last moment to change the dates despite the religious scholars announcing the change eight days in advance.

The Muslim League and the Congress made most of the controversy to score political brownies. Meanwhile, the NDA criticized the UDF and LDF for employing appeasement politics over the holiday controversy.

The Muslim League sparked a controversy when they raised doubt about the ruling party’s holiday gaffe being a ploy to appease some factions. League state general secretary P.M.A. Salam criticized the government's action, calling the holiday controversy as revenge against the minority population. Salam also alleged the Left of implementing communalism and fascism in a way that could put Sangh Parivar to shame.

CPM State Secretary M.V. Govindan meanwhile targeted UDF for trying to create a communal rift in the by-poll constituency. Minister V. Sivankutty also accused the opposition of trying to exploit the holiday controversy for political gain.