Kerala: IUML Unhappy With Congress President K Sudhakaran’s ‘Pro-RSS Remarks’

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a constituent of the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Kerala, condemned Kerala Congress president K Sudhakaran’s recent remarks regarding the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Jawaharlal Nehru.

Sudhakaran had said that he sent his men to protect RSS shakhas in Kannur, when they were being attacked by the communists.

He added that he did so because he believed that in a democracy fundamental rights should not be trampled and all organizations including the RSS should be allowed to function.

Few days later, during an event to celebrate Nehru’s birth anniversary, he said that Nehru was magnanimous enough to make a compromise with ‘communal fascism’ to include Syama Prasad Mookerjee, a Hindu Mahasabha leader in his Cabinet.

IUML MLA MK Muneer said that his party condemned the Pro-RSS remarks made by Sudhakaran. He also said that the IUML would not leave the UDF, (as speculated by some) due to remarks made by one person.

PMA Salam, the state general secretary of IUML said that these kinds of statements were to be avoided when the focus was on strengthening the UDF.

MV Govindan, the state general secretary of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), reacting to Sudhakaran’s statement said that it was nothing new as the Congress and the RSS had been helping each other in Kannur.

He also asked the other constituents of the UDF to speak up on the matter.

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president K Surendran said that Sudhakaran’s statements reflected the insecurity of Congress leaders and activists, due to the increasing domination of the IUML.

He added that the Congress leaders would not have any option except joining the BJP because they are losing everywhere in the country.

Condemning the IUML statement, he said that the party would use these remarks as an excuse and shift allegiance to the Left Democratic Front (LDF).

Congress leaders from Kerala, VD Satheesan and KC Venugopal conveyed their displeasure. Congress national general secretary, Tariq Anwar has sought an explanation and said that he would talk to all the constituents of the UDF. Sudhakaran, in his defence, said that it was a ‘slip of tongue.’

Coming at a time when the Congress is looking to rejig its state units, the remarks make it difficult for Sudhakaran to get another term as president of the state unit.

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