Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan on Friday justified the acceptance of support from the Jamaat-e-Islami by the UDF, arguing that the organization has shifted away from its extreme ideological stances, such as promoting a theocratic state.
Speaking to the media in Kasargod on Friday, Satheesan said the UDF would accept Jamaat-e-Islami’s support in the assembly elections. The Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer himself has rejected the concept of a theocratic state, what is wrong in accepting their support, Satheesan asked. “The Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer himself explicitly rejected the concept of a theocratic state, signaling a move towards accepting the constitutional, secular framework of India,” he added.
“Following this ideological shift, why should political support from the organization be rejected,” he asked.
Satheesan alleged that the ruling CPM has “double standards”, having accepted support from the Jamaat-e-Islami for nearly four decades, branding them as communal only after they began supporting the Congress-led UDF. “Don’t forget that they were with the CPM for almost four decades when they were carrying such arguments. There was no problem with anyone at that time,” Satheesan said.
“While standing with the CPM, everyone becomes secular and after leaving their party fold, they immediately become communal. We do not agree with that stance. The problem with all this is that Jamaat-e-Islami has declared support for the UDF. That stance is not right,” Satheesan added.
Satheesan reiterated that the UDF does not have a formal alliance with the Jamaat-e-Islami, but rather accepts their support, emphasizing that this does not imply agreement with all their past views.