IUML a deterrent to communal forces in in Kerala: CM-designate Satheesan

Kerala Chief Minister-designate V D Satheesan strongly defended the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), describing the key United Democratic Front (UDF) ally as a crucial barrier against communal polarization in the state. He asserted that targeting the IUML in one stroke creates a social divide in the state.

Speaking to the media here on Friday, Satheesan asserted that isolating the League is a deliberate attempt to create divisions in Kerala society. He made it clear that his government will have zero tolerance for hate speech and communal politics.
The CM-designate said that tthe IUML remained an integral part of the Congress-led front since the era of veteran leader K Karunakaran and warned that weakening the IUML would create a vacuum that radical and sectarian forces would exploit.
He argued that the IUML is a political force that acts as a deterrent on communal elements. If the League is weakened, radical elements will capture that political space. “If the IUML becomes weak in Kerala, communal forces will take over that space. Those who oppose the IUML should understand that too,” he said.

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Satheesan’s statement came against the backdrop of allegations from some organizations, including the BJP, that he was selected for the post of chief minister due to intense pressure from the IUML and Jamaat-e-Islami. The Nair Service Society (NSS) and the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam also alleged that the party exerted undue influence on the Congress high command to bypass other majority candidates.

Former BJP state president K Surendran said, “63 is lesser than 22”, referring to the seats won by the Congress and IUML, respectively, in the assembly election.
BJP state general secretary M T Ramesh said, “It has been proven once again that the Muslim League and the Panakkad House are the Congress high command.” The selection of the chief minister proves that the Congress high command has bowed down to IUML.”
NSS General Secretary G. Sukumaran Nair stated that selecting Satheesan represents a complete “surrender of the Congress to the IUML”. SNDP General Secretary Vellappally Natesan said that the IUML is poised to become an overly dominant pressure group within the new government.

Meanwhile, V D Satheesan said the state government was assessing ways to cushion the public from the impact of the latest fuel price hike. He said discussions were underway with officials to evaluate how the increase in petroleum prices would affect the public before a final decision was made. “We are examining the impact of the fuel price hike on the people and will decide on the next course of action after detailed discussions,” he added.