Kerala
The loss of Ezhava votes could have prompted the CPI(M) to issue the statement
The polit bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-CPI(M) has expressed its concern over the attacks on Hindus and other minorities in Bangladesh and stated that the interim government must take steps to ensure their safety and security.
The statement came amidst mounting criticism of opposition parties for their failure to condemn the violence against Hindus in the neighbouring country.
"The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) expresses its serious concern at the reports of several attacks on Hindu places of worship and the minority community in Bangladesh since the fall of the Shiekh Hasina government. It is evident that fundamentalist forces are targeting the minority community in the wake of the chaotic situation which developed consequent to the fall of the government.
The statement triggered speculation as to what may have prompted the CPI(M) to issue such a statement many days after the attacks started.
Political commentators say it could be because of the moving away of the party's traditional voter base of Ezhavas to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), sections of whom were unhappy with the CPI(M)'s focus on the Citizenship Amendment Act and measures that they perceived as the party's appeasement of Muslims.