AK Antony’s Hindu support draws backing from other Congress leaders

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: State Congress leaders have taken up the call by AK Antony that if Congress party needs to come back to power it has to gain the support of Hindus. Realizing the political potential of Antony’s statement, opposition leader VD Satheesan and K Muralidharan MP have come out in support.

Meanwhile, CPI(M) said they have never called Hindu devotees as communal. However, CPI(M) State Secretary, MV Govindan criticized that many Congress leaders’ stance is mild Hindutva. CPI(M) always have a good stance with respect to Hindu believers, he said.

BJP on the other hand rubbished Antony’s statement and said that Congress is the biggest anti-Hindu party.

AK Antony’s statement gains political significance as the coming Lok Sabha election is very crucial for the Congress. The Congress camp has also awakened after the huge support received for Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra. The Congress is trying to use this opportunity.

Recently in Kerala, while BJP raises its vote share the Congress is facing setbacks in election. This was witnessed in the last local body and legislative elections. CPI(M), on the other hand, is preparing its strategy to attract the minorities that were considered a vote bank of the Congress.

Antony’s statement is seen as a strategic move considering all these factors.

Satheesan said that those who wear saffron dhoti’s and apply tilak are not BJP. Their work is not to increase the membership of BJP. K Muralidharan said that he is not in support of the terms minority appeasement and mild Hindutva. He added that BJP do not have the broad mindness of the Hindu religion.

BJP State President K Surendran criticized Antony by saying that whenever Congress had a chance to rule, it was harmful for Hindus.