Fri Jan 02 07:44:08 UTC 2026: Here’s a summary and a rewritten news article based on the provided text:

Summary:

Kerala’s Leader of the Opposition, V. D. Satheesan, has accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of orchestrating communal division in the state through surrogates, specifically referencing statements made by SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan. Satheesan alleges this is a tactic to distract from the Left front’s poor performance in recent local body polls, where the UDF performed well. He also criticizes Vijayan’s inaction regarding CPI(M) leaders involved in the Sabarimala gold theft case and alleges CPI(M) corruption and vindictive actions in the wake of the election results.

News Article:

Kerala Opposition Leader Accuses Chief Minister of Stoking Communal Tensions

KOCHI, Kerala – January 2, 2026 – Kerala’s political landscape heated up today as Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan leveled serious accusations against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, alleging that he is deliberately fueling communal division in the state.

Satheesan accused Vijayan of using SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan as a “mouthpiece” to incite communal hatred, specifically referencing Natesan’s claims that the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is trying to create animosity between Ezhavas and Muslims.

“The Chief Minister is behind such remarks aimed at creating communal divide,” Satheesan stated, drawing parallels to the tactics of the Sangh Parivar.

The accusations come in the wake of a disappointing performance by the Left front in recent local body polls. Satheesan asserted that Vijayan is attempting to deflect criticism and vent his anger over the election results through these divisive tactics. He highlighted the “splendid performance” of the United Democratic Front (UDF), suggesting the Left front is facing a crisis.

Satheesan also questioned Vijayan’s inaction regarding CPI(M) leaders implicated in the Sabarimala gold theft case, asking why no action has been taken against those currently jailed. He even suggested that Vijayan himself may need to be questioned by investigators, drawing a parallel to a potential inquiry into UDF convener Adoor Prakash.

Further fueling the controversy, Satheesan accused the CPI(M) of engaging in corrupt practices to overturn the will of the people in the local elections, including an alleged bribery attempt to influence the block panchayat president election in Wadakkanchery. He also criticized the reported dismissal of a woman from a party-controlled cooperative bank after her son allegedly supported the UDF.

The accusations are likely to further escalate political tensions in Kerala, raising questions about the integrity of the ruling party and its handling of the state’s social fabric.

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