Left Ally's Statement On "Love Jihad" Triggers Row In Poll-Bound Kerala

On Sunday, Mr Mani, who is contesting as the LDF candidate from Christian dominated Pala Assembly constituency, raked up the issue in a TV programme on Assembly elections.

The "Love Jihad" issue, which was put on the backburner by the CPI(M)-led LDF and UDF-headed Congress during the campaign for the April 6 assembly polls, has been raised in poll-bound Kerala, with a leader of the ruling Left constituent saying the matter should be addressed if the public had any apprehensions about it. The statement of Kerala Congress (M) leader Jose K Mani kicked up a storm with the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) throwing its weight behind the leader, claiming "Love Jihad is a reality" in the state. However, Mr Mani, whose party's support base is largely Syrian Catholic voters of Middle Kerala, backtracked on Monday, apparently sensing that it did not go down well with other constituents of the LDF including the CPI and CPI(M).On Sunday, Mr Mani, who is contesting as the LDF candidate from Christian dominated Pala Assembly constituency, raked up the issue in a TV programme on Assembly elections. Responding to a question on "Love Jihad", he said "such an issue has come into the fore. it should be examined. If there is something in that issue, that should be addressed. If again apprehensions are among the public about it, that should be studied with clarity."