As political tensions escalate ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha by-election in Kerala’s Wayanad constituency, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has leveled a serious accusation against Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. On Thursday, Vijayan alleged that Priyanka Gandhi is contesting the bypoll with the support of Jamaat-e-Islami, a political Islamist organization, raising questions about the Congress party’s secular credentials.
In a detailed Facebook post, Vijayan expressed his concerns about the Congress party’s ties to Jamaat-e-Islami, suggesting that this association contradicts the party’s commitment to secularism. “The Wayanad by-election has exposed the Congress party’s secular mask completely,” he wrote. Vijayan’s statements have stirred controversy, sparking debates on the involvement of religious and ideological organizations in Indian politics.
According to Vijayan, Priyanka Gandhi’s candidacy in Wayanad, bolstered by Jamaat-e-Islami’s endorsement, reveals an ideological shift within the Congress. “Priyanka Gandhi is running as a candidate there with the backing of Jamaat-e-Islami. So, what exactly is Congress’s stance? Our country is not unfamiliar with Jamaat-e-Islami. Does that organization’s ideology align with democratic values?” Vijayan questioned in his post.
This comment from the Chief Minister follows an announcement from the Welfare Party of India, a political outfit reportedly linked to Jamaat-e-Islami, which publicly extended its support to Priyanka Gandhi’s candidacy. Vijayan’s criticism implies that Jamaat-e-Islami’s ideology does not align with democratic principles, and he questioned whether a political organization with such ideological leanings should play a role in India’s governance. “Jamaat does not see the country or its democracy as important. The country’s governance is not taken into account. Forming a welfare party and functioning as a political party is a cover,” Vijayan asserted, in what appeared to be an attack on both the Welfare Party and Jamaat-e-Islami.
Referring to political activities of Jamaat-e-Islami in Jammu and Kashmir, Vijayan further alleged that the organization had plans to contest three or four seats in the recent assembly elections in the region. According to Vijayan, the objective of Jamaat’s political activities in Jammu and Kashmir was to oppose CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, a move he claimed was also supported by the BJP. “The BJP shared this objective. However, despite this alliance of extremists and the BJP, the people chose Tarigami,” Vijayan noted.
The Chief Minister continued his argument by challenging Jamaat-e-Islami’s claim that the branches of the organization in Kerala and Jammu and Kashmir operate under separate guidelines. He insisted that Jamaat-e-Islami has a unified ideology, regardless of its regional chapters, and that its members do not subscribe to democratic governance. “The Jamaat-e-Islami here are saying that the Jamaat-e-Islami there and here are different. Jamaat-e-Islami has only one policy. They do not accept any form of democratic governance. That is their ideology. Now they seem to want to help the UDF,” Vijayan said, suggesting that the Welfare Party’s support for the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is inconsistent with secular democratic principles.
In a pointed question directed at the Congress, Vijayan asked whether a party that claims to uphold secularism should accept support from groups like Jamaat-e-Islami, which he labeled as sectarian. “Shouldn’t those who stand for secularism oppose all forms of sectarianism? Will Congress be able to say no to Jamaat-e-Islami’s vote?” he questioned, casting doubts on the Congress’s ability to resist the influence of ideologically driven groups.
The by-election in Wayanad was triggered after Rahul Gandhi, who previously held the seat, chose to prioritize his representation of Amethi. With the bypoll scheduled for November 13, the contest has intensified, as Congress faces a tight race with the CPI(M) candidate Sathyan Mokeri and BJP candidate Navya Haridas.
