CPI(M) in Kerala rallies behind politburo member Vijayaraghavan on his remarks against Rahul, Priyanka

CPI(M) leaders in Kerala support A. Vijayaraghavan amid controversy over remarks on Congress leaders, denounce communalism from all sides.

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.