Overview
- A.K. Balan said a Congress-led UDF government would see Jamaat-e-Islami handling the Home Department, a claim he made in Palakkad that set off a political dispute.
- Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan defended Balan, arguing the comment flagged what he described as the Islamist group’s growing heft in the UDF and citing the 2003 Marad riots to attack Congress’ record.
- Jamaat-e-Islami Hind sent Balan a legal notice seeking Rs 1 crore, demanding a retraction and warning of civil and criminal action, with no public response from Balan reported.
- Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan condemned the remark as communal, accused CPI(M) of borrowing Sangh Parivar tactics, and pressed the LDF and CPI for a clear position.
- BJP leaders used the dispute to brand Jamaat-e-Islami as dangerous and to target Congress and the IUML, while Left figures navigated recent friction between CPI and CPI(M) leaders.