Pinarayi accuses IUML, Cong. of aligning with fundamentalist forces

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has accused the Congress and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) of fostering communalism for political gains and warned that secularism in the country is at serious risk.

He was inaugurating the three-day Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] Kannur district conference, which began at KKN Pariyaram hall at Taliparamba on Saturday (February 1).

He criticised the IUML for its political opportunism, alleging that the party was willing to ally with anyone and was now moving towards an open alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami and the Social Democratic Party of India, both of which were rejected by a large section of the Muslim community.

Mr. Vijayan said the secular society would weaken if communal forces strengthened. He added that the IUML and the Congress, which should have opposed both minority and majority communalism equally, were weakening themselves by supporting communal forces.

Mr. Vijayan highlighted an increase in communal violence across the country, citing an 84% rise in such incidents. “In 2013, 32 incidents of communal violence were reported, but last year, the number rose to 46,” he said.

Mr. Vijayan accused the Central government of undermining the federal principles and intentionally hindering Kerala’s development.

“While the BJP at the Centre is trying to implement neoliberal policies, Kerala is the only State offering an alternative model. The BJP cannot tolerate this, which is evident in its actions against the State government,” he said.

He also claimed that with the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax, Kerala lost its taxation rights severely reducing its financial autonomy. A total of 566 participants are attending the three-day conference, including 496 representatives elected from 18 area committees, district committee members, and invited Central and State leaders. Key attendees include party State secretary M.V. Govindan and central committee members P.K. Sreemathi, E.P. Jayarajan, K.K. Shailaja, MLA, and A.K. Balan.