Overview
- LDF convenor T.P. Ramakrishnan said A.K. Balan’s comments were his personal opinion, and CPI(M) state secretary M.V. Govindan called them “irresponsible.”
- Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Balan was recalling the Marad period, while minister M.B. Rajesh defended the Left’s record against communal forces.
- Balan rejected Jamaat-e-Islami’s legal notice seeking an apology and Rs 1 crore in damages, declaring he would not apologise and was ready to face jail.
- CPI(M) leader M.V. Govindan accused sections of the media of portraying criticism of communal organisations as attacks on religions.
- Opposition leaders V.D. Satheesan and K.C. Venugopal condemned Balan’s remarks and questioned the CPI(M)’s stance as political tensions rise before upcoming electoral contests.