No compromise on communalism; CPM opposes anyone who holds such stands, says M V Govindan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM state secretary M V Govindan responded to Minister Saji Cherian's remarks of communal polarisation. He said the CPM opposes anyone holding communal stands. The CPM has a clear understanding of what communalism and what secularism are, he said while talking to the media in Thiruvananthapuram.

'CPM is the movement that stands strongest against communalism in the country. There will be no communal remarks from the side of the party. The Congress, which adopts a soft Hindutva stance, is allying with communal forces as and when the opportunity arises. Opposition leader V D Satheesan has no hesitation in aligning with Jamaat-e-Islami. Efforts are being made to deliberately attack the CPM. The people should recognize the false propaganda being spread against the party,' he said.

He added that anti-communalism is the hallmark of the CPM, and no matter how well someone presents communalism, the party cannot agree with it. The party will remain firm on this stance in the upcoming political situations as well.

Minister Saji Cherian's communal polarisation remark changed the direction of the political turmoil. Cherian's remark was when SNDP Yogam General Secretary and the NSS General Secretary G Sukumaran Nair attacked opposition leader V D Satheesan. Although Saji Cherian corrected what he said, the Congress and UDF heated up the issue. There was also an interpretation that the remark was made with the knowledge of the chief minister and the party.