Senior congress leader Ramesh Chennithala
| Photo Credit: K K Mustafah
Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala on Monday (January 19, 2026) accused Kerala’s Minister for Culture Saji Cherian of “trying to ignite communal polarisation by making provocative statements” aimed at reaping gains in the forthcoming Assembly elections.
He was referring to the Minister’s statement in Alappuzha on Sunday stating that communal polarisation was evident in the recently local body polls as seen by the names of those who had won in the Malappuram district panchayat and Kasaragod municipality.
Terming the statement “divisive”, Mr. Chennithala alleged that it was part of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) “agenda to divide society on the basis of caste and religion in order to make electoral gains.”
He alleged that Mr. Cherian’s statement is “a repeat” of the controversial remark made by CPI(M) leader A. K. Balan claiming that the Jamaat-e-Islami would control the Home department if the United Democratic Front (UDF) is voted to power in the Assembly election. Mr. Chennithala alleged that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had endorsed Mr. Balan’s statement as part of the CPI(M) agenda to polarise the society on communal lines. “We need to think whether such divisive comments are ideal for Kerala, which is progressive and secular,” he told mediapersons in Kochi.
Mr. Chennithala welcomed the call for unity made by the leadership of the Nair Service Society (NSS) and the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam. He said the Congress had always respected religious organisations, including NSS and SNDP. “The party has always adopted an inclusive approach towards community and religious organisations,” he said.
Mr. Chennithala, however, refused to comment on the verbal attacks by the leadership of the NSS and SNDP against Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan. He, however, clarified that Mr. Satheesan’s remarks on the need to oppose communalism was “a reflection of the long-standing position of the Congress party against divisive politics.”
Published – January 19, 2026 11:03 am IST