Kozhikode (Kerala), March 27 CPI(M) leader and CITU national general secretary Elamaram Kareem on Friday alleged that IUML leader M K Muneer was not fielded in the April 9 Assembly elections due to the intervention of Jamaat-e-Islami.
Muneer, however, denied the allegation, claiming that the CPI(M) was attempting to create a narrative against his party.
The CPI(M) has been alleging links between the UDF and Jamaat-e-Islami during the poll campaign.
The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has, however, maintained that Muneer stayed away from the electoral fray due to health reasons.
Addressing a press conference here, Kareem said Muneer is a prominent IUML leader, and his absence from the polls cannot be attributed solely to health issues.
"His stance might have caused discomfort to the Muslim League leadership. He has written a book on Jamaat-e-Islami politics," Kareem said.
He alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami, like the RSS, is based on religion-oriented politics.
Kareem further claimed that Jamaat-e-Islami is actively involved in the election process in coordination with the Muslim League and the UDF.
"Muslim League leaders, including Muneer, have in the past expressed strong opposition to Jamaat-e-Islami. One should examine who prevented such a leader from contesting the election," he alleged.
Muneer has served twice as a minister in UDF governments. In the 2021 Assembly elections, he contested from Koduvally constituency and defeated LDF candidate Karat Razak.
Recently, the Welfare Party, the political outfit of Jamaat-e-Islami, extended its support to the UDF, claiming it to counter the spread of Sangh Parivar’s influence in society.
Reacting to the allegation, Muneer said he did not understand what CPI(M) leader Kareem intended to convey with his remarks regarding his absence from the Assembly election.
Muneer clarified that his health condition does not allow him to engage in the hectic election campaign.
“We discussed it in the party and the decision was taken cordially. I do not believe that I was ousted,” he said.
He said the party has never sidelined him and has always stood by him.
Muneer also said the Muslim League should not be belittled by claims that Jamaat-e-Islami decides its candidates.
“I have spoken against the ideology of Jamaat-e-Islami and that stand has not changed. There is no doubt that the Muslim League and Jamaat-e-Islami are on two different poles when it comes to ideology,” he said.