Will radical Islam change the political dynamics of Kerala and impact the outcome of the assembly elections scheduled for April 2026?
Will it benefit the BJP as Christians may vote for it?
Will radical Islam create problems within Congress and force it to change its strategy?
The rise of radical Islam in society in general and politics in particular has left the Communist Party of India (Marxist) a divided house.
With its secular credentials and pro-Islamic tilt, the CPI(M) has been a safe bet for Muslims with most of them voting for the party in big numbers across elections.
CPI(M) Divided Over Radical Islam
Though the communist party has opposed all forms of radicalism-both Hindutva and Islamist forces, it has been accused of ignoring radical elements in the Muslim society while targeting the Hindutva forces.
The CPI(M) strongly contacted Muslim society, particularly after the PFI was banned, and it reaped rich dividends, further strengthening this approach.
However, it has left the party divided, as many seasoned and old-time leaders have warned that it might alienate a large section of the Hindu and Christian voters.
These leaders have also warned that this may give the BJP a strong ideological push as well as an opportunity to attract those who are against the rise of radical Islam.
Is PM Modi A ‘Fascist’? CPI(M) Remains Clueless
It has also left the CPI(M) confused about whether it should call Prime Minister Narendra Modi a “fascist”, a “neo-fascist” or not.
The communist party has been vocal on the issue and has always considered the Hindutva forces, particularly the BJP and PM Modi a “neo-fascist”.
However, with the rise of the saffron party, some of the CPI(M) leaders believe the party should accept the political reality and ignore calling PM Modi “fascist” or “neo-fascist”.
Similarly, many of the CPI(M) leaders also believe that the party should have a pragmatic approach and oppose the rising radical Islam.
They believe the party should maintain equal distance from both types of communalism and attack both Hindutva and Islamic forces.
Congress In A Fix Over ‘Islamic Radicalism’
Kerala Congress is also divided on the issue. After some Churches raised the issue of “Islamic radicalism”, opposed the Waqf Board bill and sent recommendations to the joint parliamentary committee on the issue, the party went into a huddle and many of its leaders said openly that they should oppose the radical Islamic forces.
Like the CPI(M), Congress too is divided on the issue of radical Islam.
A section of the party leaders want to stick to the old line of ignoring radical Islam because Muslims constitute a big voter base for the party and the United Democratic Front.
However, many party leaders believe that Congress should oppose radical Islam to prove its secular credentials as well as equidistance from both types of radicalism.
These leaders are apprehensive about shifting voters to the BJP which openly opposes radical Islam.
The Sabarimala controversy and the massive protest demonstrations against the CPI(M)-led government left both the LDF and the UDF confused and divided.
The faultlines are clear like never before, radical Islam is on the rise, and Hindus and Christians feel uneasy on the issue alike, pushing both the LDF and the UDF to change their strategy.
The BJP must have the last laugh.
