CPM backs leader on his remarks against Gandhis

We saw both in the LS polls and the Palakkad assembly bypoll that the two parties (SDPI and Jamaat-e-Islami) worked... as an ally of Cong and UDF MV GOVINDAN,

- HT Correspondent

KOCHI: The CPI(M) on Monday backed politburo member A Vijayaraghavan's controversial remarks on Muslim fundamentalists' support behind the victories of Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the Wayanad Lok Sabha constituency.

The party defended his remarks, stating that they were aimed at exposing the "unholy alliance" between Congress and "communal" outfits like the SDPI, the political arm of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI) and the Welfare Party of India, the branch of Jamaat-e-Islami.

CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan told reporters, "Both majority and minority communal forces have strengthened their attacks on our party over the years. But we are not ready to make any compromises with them. SDPI and Jamaat-e-Islami are among the tiny communal forces within the Muslim community."

"Congress is an ally of those communal forces. We saw both in the Lok Sabha elections and the Palakkad assembly bypoll that the two parties worked just as an ally of the Congress and UDF. It will have far-reaching consequences," he said.