Kerala Politics Heats Up Over AK Balan’s Jamaat-e-Islami Remark

A political storm erupted in Kerala after CPI(M) leader AK Balan claimed that if the Congress-led UDF comes to power, the Home Department would be “handled by Jamaat-e-Islami.” Speaking in Palakkad, Balan warned that the BJP would topple a UDF government quickly and suggested that communal violence could escalate, citing potential scenarios worse than the Maradu riots. He also alleged that the IUML and RSS were positioning themselves in ways that could enable such outcomes.

Congress ReactionOpposition Leader VD Satheesan condemned Balan’s statement as divisive and likened it to communal strategies used by the Sangh Parivar elsewhere in the country. He accused Balan of attempting to create a rift between communities with the knowledge of CPI(M) leadership.

Jamaat-e-Islami Issues Legal NoticeJamaat-e-Islami Hind Kerala sent a legal notice to Balan, demanding he retract his statement and warning of criminal and civil action with a compensation claim of Rs 1 crore. The organisation accused him of spreading fear against Muslims to influence votes ahead of the Assembly elections. Amir P Mujeeb Rahman described the remarks as reflective of Sangh Parivar ideology and warned of a dangerous shift in Kerala’s political climate.

BJP CriticismBJP state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar attacked the Congress and IUML, alleging an alliance with Jamaat-e-Islami. He linked the organisation to violence in Bangladesh and accused it of promoting Sharia rule, while highlighting concerns over its growing influence in Kerala and ties with Congress and IUML. Chandrasekhar also called on CPI(M) to reflect on its past alliances amid the controversy.

The remarks have triggered intense political exchanges, legal threats, and a wider debate on communal and minority politics ahead of the state elections.