Priyanka Gandhi Contesting Wayanad Bypoll With Jamaat-e-Islami Backing: Pinarayi Vijayan

Thiruvananthapuram: Ahe of by-election to Wayan Lok Sabha seat, Kerala Chief Minister and CPI(M) leer Pinarayi Vijayan alleged that Congress leer Priyanka Gandhi Vra is contesting polls with support of Jamaat-e-Islami.

Earlier on Thursday, Vijayan, through a Facebook post, claimed that by-election in Wayan has "exposed Congress party's secular mask completely."

"Priyanka Gandhi is running as a candidate re with backing of Jamaat-e-Islami. So, what exactly is Congress's stance? Our country is t unfamiliar with Jamaat-e-Islami. Does that organisation's ideology align with democratic values?" he asked.

Claiming that Jamaat-e-Islami does t value nation or its democracy and disregards nation’s governance structure, Kerala CM said organisation was operating under guise of political involvement through Welfare Party, and this face was evident in Jammu and Kashmir, news ncy PTI reported.

'Jamaat-e-Islami Long Opposed Elections in J&K'

Vijayan alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami h long opposed elections in Jammu and Kashmir, vocating for strong sectarian positions. "Later, y aligned mselves with BJP (in Kashmir)," news ncy PTI quoted him as saying.

While referring to recently-concluded Jammu & Kashmir Assembly elections, CPI (M) leer claimed that Jamaat-e-Islami planned to contest elections on three or four seats re, ultimately targeting seat where CPI(M) leer Mohamm Yousuf Tarigami was contesting.

" goal was to defeat Tarigami, and BJP shared this objective. However, despite this alliance of extremists and BJP, people chose Tarigami," CPI(M) veteran said. He said Jamaat-e-Islami in Wayan claims to be different from Jamaat-e-Islami in Kashmir. "However, ideology remains same--one that does t accept any form of democratic governance. This time, y feel like supporting Congress-led UDF," he said.

Dropping bombshell, Vijayan asked, "Shouldn't those who stand for secularism oppose all forms of sectarianism?" "Can Congress do that? Congress and allies, including Muslim League, seem to be making certain 'sacrifices' to maintain ir alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami. Can Congress reject Jamaat-e-Islami's votes?," he asked.

CPI(M) Politburo member urged Congress leers to recall a statement by late Marxist leer EMS Namboodirip, underlining his firm stance against communal alliances. He said in a by-election in Thalassery, EMS h openly stated, "We do t want RSS votes." Referring to this example, Vijayan questioned wher Congress could take a similarly principled stand.

Vijayan me similar allegations while dressing a by-election meeting in support of Left candidate in Wayan, CPI's Sathyan Mokeri. Kozhikode Corporation Councillor Navya Haridas is BJP candidate in hill constituency.

Wayan by-election was planned after Rahul Gandhi , who won seats in both Wayan and Raebareli, chose to vacate Wayan seat. by-election will be held on vember 13.

Interestingly, Priyanka Gandhi, in her election campaign so far, has targeted her attacks solely on BJP, avoiding any criticism of Left Democratic Front or its leers.

(With PTI inputs)