Fri Nov 08 07:58:07 UTC 2024: ## Kerala CM Accuses Congress of “Sacrificing” Secularism for Jamaat-e-Islami Support in Wayanad By-election

**KOZHIKODE:** Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has launched a scathing attack on the Congress, alleging that the party is compromising its secular principles by accepting support from the Jamaat-e-Islami in the upcoming Wayanad Lok Sabha by-election. In a Facebook post and subsequent public address, Vijayan claimed that Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s candidature in Wayanad exposes the Congress’s “secular mask,” citing the organization’s alleged backing of her campaign.

Vijayan, a veteran Marxist leader, emphasized the Jamaat-e-Islami’s history of opposing democratic values and its “facade” of political involvement through the Welfare Party. He highlighted the organization’s alleged alliance with the BJP in Jammu and Kashmir and their attempt to defeat CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami in recent Assembly elections.

He further accused the Congress of overlooking the Jamaat-e-Islami’s ideology, which he claims rejects democratic governance, in favor of maintaining their alliance. Vijayan posed the question, “Shouldn’t those who stand for secularism oppose all forms of sectarianism? Can the Congress do that?”

The Chief Minister also referenced the late Marxist leader EMS Namboodiripad’s stance against communal alliances, questioning if the Congress could adopt a similar principled stand.

The by-election in Wayanad, triggered by Rahul Gandhi’s decision to vacate the seat after winning in both Wayanad and Raebareli, is scheduled for November 13th. The contest is between CPI’s Sathyan Mokeri, BJP candidate Navya Haridas, and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the Congress candidate.

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