The phase of rhetoric has once again intensified in the politics of the South Indian state of Kerala. Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan has strongly condemned Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPIM) leader P. Nandakumar's alleged and highly controversial remarks in which he had described Malappuram district as a den of fundamentalists and communal people. Chief Minister Satheesan has directly targeted the CPI(M) alleging that the party is indirectly supporting such communal and divisive statements. Expressing his strong reaction on the social media platform 'X', the Chief Minister said that these comments are not only worrying, but are all the more serious because they were made in the presence of senior CPI(M) leader and former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, and he did not even raise any objection to it. Questions raised on Pinarayi Vijayan's presence and silence Chief Minister VD Satheesan said in his official statement, "I strongly condemn the communal comments made by CPI(M) leader P. Nandakumar by labeling respected people of Malappuram as radicals." He further said that this completely unacceptable statement was made in the presence of former Chief Minister of the state and Leader of Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan, but he did not consider it appropriate to raise even a single word of objection or correct his statement. This clearly shows that CPI (M) indirectly accepts this kind of divisive thinking as correct. The Chief Minister alleged that this statement is part of a larger and planned series of statements targeting Malappuram and certain communities of the society, which can affect the social fabric of the state. Accused of 'dog-whistle politics' and Sangh Parivar-like tactics, Chief Minister Satheesan has seriously accused the CPI (M) of indulging in 'dog-whistle politics' (provocative and polarizing politics through gestures) despite continuous electoral defeats. He said that his political style is largely similar to the polarizing strategies of the right wing or the Sangh Parivar. He has demanded the central leadership of CPI(M) and Pinarayi Vijayan to break their silence and present their clear stand on this entire matter before the public. The Chief Minister also demanded that both the party and leader P. Nandakumar should publicly apologize to the people of Kerala without any conditions. What is the whole controversy and how did the politics heat up? This entire political controversy started when an extended meeting of the CPI (M) district committee was held in Malappuram on Saturday. While giving the welcome speech in this meeting, leader P. Nandakumar had allegedly made that controversial comment regarding Malappuram. Many senior party leaders, including Pinarayi Vijayan, were present on the stage in this meeting. As soon as this statement came out, there was an uproar in the political circles. Muslim Youth League activists lodged formal complaints against Nandakumar before the Ponnani police station and the concerned Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). Police officials say that complaints have also been received from many other social and political organizations and after a thorough investigation of the video footage, appropriate legal action will be taken as per rules. Meanwhile, Thavanur MLA VS Joy also defended Malappuram through a post on social media platform Facebook, writing, "Malappuram is not a nest. This is a palace, which has been decorated with gems strung together by peace-loving people with secular thinking." After this statement, the political temperature in Kerala has become very high.
