Kerala Congress president K Sudhakaran finds himself under fire for backing Governor Arif Mohammed Khan’s decision to nominate RSS/ABVP-affiliated members to university senates. Facing backlash, Sudhakaran has mounted damage control exercises, asserting that he will continue his “fight against fascism.”
In a press interaction in Delhi on Tuesday, Sudhakaran defended his stance, stating, “You can criticise if he (Governor Khan) is filling up senates only with Sangh Parivar nominees. They (Sangh affiliates) are also a part of democracy. Some of them are good, and how can we oppose the nomination of good people. We are happy when good people are appointed and do not look into the politics behind it. We are only looking at their eligibility.”
Sudhakaran’s comments coincide with protests by the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF against the Governor, stressing their opposition to the Sangh Parivar with an eye on the Muslim vote bank. The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), a Congress ally in Kerala, has also expressed discontent over Sudhakaran’s perceived “pro-Sangh” remarks.
The strained relationship between Congress and IUML traces back to the Congress’s poor performance in the recent Assembly elections and concerns about some IUML leaders’ perceived “proximity” to the CPI(M).
Also Read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Opinion poll predicts hat-trick for Modi, limits INDIA bloc to 163 seats
Last year, Sudhakaran raised eyebrows by claiming to offer protection to RSS shakhas in Kannur, alleging threats from the Communists.
Defending his earlier statements, Sudhakaran took to social media, stating, “This is a bid to depict me as pro-Sangh Parivar. The democratically enlightened people of Kerala would reject such attempts of Pinarayi Vijayan (Kerala CM) and his men, who fail to criticise Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I will continue my fight against fascism.”
While senior Congress leader VD Satheesan reiterated that no Congress leader in Kerala supports the Governor, CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan questioned the Congress’s secular credentials, demanding clarity on Sudhakaran’s approval of Governor Khan’s efforts to “saffronise” higher education.
In response to the criticism, Satheesan clarified, “Sudhakaran meant that eligible individuals should be nominated to senates, irrespective of political affiliations.”
Also Read: Lok Sabha Elections 2024: Opinion poll predicts hat-trick for Modi, limits INDIA bloc to 163 seats