Malappuram: A CCTV footage of an alleged meeting between the Congress’s ally IUML and SDPI surfaced yesterday and created a stir among political parties in the State.
Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), which is the second largest partner in UDF, and SDPI are known for their radical views. The ruling CPI(M) flayed the Congress-led UDF over the alleged meeting.
The video shows IUML leaders, MLA P K Kunhalikutty and MP E T Muhammed Basheer, both likely candidates in the coming Lok Sabha elections, were seen along with SDPI state president Abdul Majeed Faisi at a hotel.
While the IUML claimed that the meeting never had any political implications and was coincidental, the SDPI said that both the parties had discussed politics.
Speaking to reporters, Faisi said, “We have discussed politics.. Considering the political atmosphere in the country, SDPI will discuss politics with all the parties including IUML. We discussed the political scenario of Malappuram district. We have also discussed national politics.”
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan lashed out at the UDF over the secret meeting between the two parties and said that the Congress move to forge alliance with communal forces was dangerous.
“The IUML’s secret link with SDPI has been exposed. These days CCTVs help to expose such things. The meeting was to forge electoral alliances. We need to fight the communal politics, be it majority or minority, in order to protect secularism. It’s not right to go after communalism for the sake of few votes,” he said. CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the meeting shows the “desperation” of UDF leaders to win the election.