An editorial in Suprabhaatham warned that if the Congress did not reevaluate its position, the BJP might secure victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, relegating the Congress to the pages of history.
Team Clarion
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM – The Congress party’s ambivalence at attending the consecration ceremony of Ram Temple in Ayodhya next month has ignited discontent in the ranks of Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama (SAMASTHA), a prominent Muslim outfit closely associated with the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).
In a pointed editorial in its mouthpiece, Suprabhaatham, SAMASTHA on Wednesday expressed its dissatisfaction with the Congress’s non-committal stance, asserting that the party’s consideration of attending the ceremony was merely a strategy to prevent the depletion of Hindu votes in the Hindi heartland.
SAMASTHA accused the Congress of adopting a soft Hindutva approach, suggesting that it had led the party, which held power for 36 years, to its current predicament.
IUML is an important ally of the Congress in the state.
The Suprabhaatham editorial warned that if the Congress did not reevaluate its position, the BJP might secure victory in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, relegating the Congress, a key player in the Independence struggle, to the pages of history.
SAMASTHA’s critique coincides with the CPI (M)’s efforts to build bridges with the influential Muslim organisation. The CPI (M)-led Left Democratic Front government in Kerala has endeavoured to address SAMASTHA’s concerns on various issues affecting the Muslim community, while also attempting to court the IUML by tapping into Muslim apprehensions about the Congress’s commitment to challenging the saffron brigade.
In response to the Congress’s invitation to the Ram Temple ceremony, IUML state general secretary P.M.A. Salam issued a caution against falling into the “BJP trap.” He highlighted the BJP’s historical practice of exploiting communal sentiments before elections, emphasising the need for all parties to resist such divisive strategies.
Last week, Congress leaders, including President Mallikarjun Kharge and Sonia Gandhi, received invitations for the ceremony on January 22. AICC general secretary (organisation) K.C. Venugopal, when questioned about their attendance, remained elusive, stating, “What is the party’s stand? On January 22, you will know who is participating… They invited us. We are very much thankful to them for inviting us.”
In contrast to the Congress, the national leadership of the CPI (M) has unequivocally declared its decision not to participate in the event. The Suprabhaatham editorial commended the CPI (M)’s clarity, urging Congress leaders, particularly Sonia Gandhi, to exhibit similar courage and tenacity.
The editorial underscored the Congress’s perceived soft Hindutva measures, including former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Kamal Nath’s contribution of 12 silver bricks for the Ram temple construction and the party’s campaign in Madhya Pradesh, which featured prominent Hindutva elements but failed to secure electoral success against the BJP’s hardcore Hindutva.
Given the historical context, the editorial also alluded to the IUML’s past split in 1994 over its perceived moderate stance on the Babri Masjid demolition, leading to the formation of the Indian National League, now aligned with the LDF in Kerala.
As political dynamics continue to evolve, the CPI (M) continues to exert pressure on the IUML, questioning the party’s ability to challenge the Congress’s soft Hindutva line in the north Indian states.
