Congress, IUML slammed CPI(M) Politburo member Vijayaraghavan for ‘crediting’ Gandhi’s back-to-back victories in Wayanad to “radical” support.

A Vijayaraghavan. file Photo Credit: The Hindu

On Sunday, the Congress and the Indian Union Muslim League criticized Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI(M)) Politburo member A Vijayaraghavan’s alleged statement that “extremist votes” had fueled Rahul’s landslide victory. Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency.

Mr Vijayaraghavan stirred controversy last week while inaugurating the CPI(M)’s Wayanad district conference, saying Ms Vadra’s election rallies contained “communal agenda and extremist elements supporting terrorists”.

He also alleged that “bad fundamentalist” groups had helped Mr. Gandhi win in Wayanad. “Otherwise how can both win?” he asked.

In a press conference at Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) headquarters Indira Bhawan in Thiruvananthapuram, All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary KC Venugopal, MP, said Mr. Vijayaraghavan’s views were similar to those of the Sangh Parivar.

“The BJP seems to have contracted the CPI(M) to malign Mr. Gandhi and Ms. Vadra in Kerala. Mr. Vijayaraghavan is pursuing the BJP’s agenda of communal division in the state. However, the dangerous political gamble of the CPI(M) is a big political one for the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF). The price will have to be paid”, he said.

Mr. Venugopal claimed that the CPI(M) votes had flowed to the Congress in the Wayanad Lok Sabha elections.

“For one, both Mr Gandhi and later Ms Vadra gained significant leads in Thirunelli Panchayat, a CPI(M) stronghold where the party usually leads by 5000 to 6000 votes. The CPI(M) is alarmed to see its base eroding. Faced with a setback in its stronghold, the party resorted to a majoritarian communal strategy to marginalize its traditional base It has been taken,’ he said.

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) also held the CPI(M) responsible for Mr. Vijayaraghavan’s comments.

Speaking to reporters in Kozhikode, IUML national general secretary PK Kunhalikutty, MLA, accused the CPI(M) of playing the Sangh Parivar brand of majoritarian communalism for electoral dividends.

He said that Mr. Vijayaraghavan had “cruelly and heinously” ignored the democratic mandate of Wayanad voters. “Communal divisive politics cannot find any traction in secular, democratic and progressive Kerala”, he added.