Kerala left-front accused of triggering communal sentiments on Palakkad by-poll eve

An advertorial that highlights the RSS-BJP background of Sandeep Varier, who recently joined the Congress from the BJP, is published in two newspapers of prominent Muslim outfits.

Thiruvananthapuram: An advertorial in support of Congress-rebel turned Left Democratic Front (LDF) candidate in Palakkad by-poll Dr P Sarin has triggered allegations that the LDF was trying to trigger communal sentiments to help the BJP.

The advertorial that highlights the RSS-BJP background of Sandeep Varier, who recently joined the Congress from the BJP, is published in two newspapers of prominent Muslim outfits. This has triggered the allegation.

Congress alleged that the CPI(M), which tried to trigger communal sentiments during the Lok Sabha polls at Vadakara through a communal social media campaign, was making a similar attempt in Palakkad by-poll too. Congress was also planning to petition to the election commission against it.

Leader of opposition  V D Satheesan said that he felt petty over the communist party for unleashing such a communal campaign. He alleged that CPI(M)'s intention was to create a divide in the minority votes in order to help the BJP.

"Why was the controversial advertorial given only in two newspapers run by Muslim outfits and not even to CPI(M)'s mouthpiece," asked Satheesan.

The advertorial appeared in Malayalam dailies 'Siraj' and 'Suprabhatham' that are run by All India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama and  Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama respectively. Though the advertorial has the heading 'Sarin Tharangam' (Sarin wave), its content mostly highlights the RSS-BJP background of Sandeep Varier, including his picture in RSS attire.

During the Vadakara Lok Sabha election earlier this year a social media post terming LDF candidate and former health minister K K Shailaja as 'Kafir' (infidel) had gone viral.

Though CPI(M) alleged that the Congress and Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) unleashed the campaign, the  police probe pointed fingers at some social media groups of CPI(M) workers.

Meanwhile, the election commission and the police are making elaborate security arrangements for the polling at Palakkad on Wednesday as the CPI(M) announced that it would prevent persons with double votes from casting votes.

Palakkad is witnessing a tight triangular fight among LDF candidate Sarin, Congress candidate Rahul Mamkootathil and BJP candidate C Krishnakumar.