The political atmosphere in Kerala has intensified as the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) continues its attack on the ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) over a controversial social media post that surfaced just before the polls in the Vadakara Lok Sabha constituency. The post, which referred to Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate K K Shailaja as a "kafir" (non-believer) and Shafi Parambil, UDF candidate, as a "Muslim" who offers prayers five times a day.
The post has since then sparked a war of words between the two major political alliances in the state.
The controversy took a new twist when a police report submitted to the Kerala High Court suggested that pro-left groups were implicated in the conspiracy. The report has caused embarrassment for the Left, which had previously run a campaign against Shafi Parambil and the UDF concerning the 'Kafir' post.
According to the police, the post initially surfaced in a WhatsApp group called 'Red Encounters' and was later shared on a Facebook page named "Ambadimukku Sakhakkal."The report also identified the individual behind the pro-left Facebook page 'Porali Shaji' as someone named Wahab, as reported by Mathrubhumi.
Congress Accuses CPI(M) Of Communal Campaign
Soon, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan accused the CPI(M) of orchestrating a communal campaign to divide voters along religious lines for political gain. He further alleged that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has been shielding those responsible for the divisive post.
He said, "Where is the Kerala CM? Is he not aware of what is going on? The CM who also holds charge of the Home Department is claiming ignorance about the police affidavit in the High Court. The officer who filed it has been transferred."
"Kerala police knows who created the post, from where it started and who all shared it. It was also done through CPI(M) handles. CPI(M) leaders, workers and DYFI activists shared it. It is a huge conspiracy involving top leaders of the party and their families," the opposition leader contended, as per PTI, while speaking to reporters at Aluva in Kochi.
CPI(M) Calls It "Obscene And Communal"
Responding to these allegations, CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan countered by accusing the UDF of conducting an "obscene and communal" campaign in Vadakara from the very beginning. Govindan argued that the 'kafir' post should not be viewed in isolation, claiming that the UDF had initiated several defamatory and derogatory campaigns against K K Shailaja well before the controversial post appeared.
Govindan also mentioned that several Congress and Muslim League workers had been arrested in connection with these smear campaigns. He emphasized that the CPI(M) and the LDF have consistently upheld secular values and do not engage in such divisive tactics for electoral gain.
Govindan distanced the CPI(M) from social media groups like 'Porali Shaji,' which he claimed were falsely associated with the Left. He reiterated that the party has no connection with such groups and does not condone any wrongful activities. Govindan called for a police investigation to identify those responsible for the post, while urging against creating a "smokescreen" to falsely accuse the Left Front.
"We have no need for such campaigns before the polls. We were not its beneficiaries either. 'Porali Shaji' is one of several groups that have no connection with the Left or the CPI(M). We do not support such activities," he said at a press conference in the state capital, as per the report.