Kerala's ruling Left Front distances itself from CPI(M) leader's remarks on Jamaat-e-Islami

The CPI(M) in Kerala is divided over party central committee member A K Balan's statement that Jamaat-e-Islami will hold home portfolio if Congress returns to power.

Even as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan defended Balan's statement, CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan and Left Democratic Front convenor T P Ramakrishnan have expressed their differences over Balan's view.

Congress continues to step up attacks against Balan with former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president K Murleedharan on Friday seeking legal action against him for his remark that 'Marad model' riots will recur in the state.

Ramakrishnan said that what Balan said was his personal opinion only. Neither the CPI(M), nor the LDF took such a view, he said.

M V Govindan reportedly rejected Balan's statement at a meeting of the party Thiruvananthapuram district committee. He termed it as an irresponsible statement of the party leader. 

The Chief Minister has said that Balan was also recollecting the past development in the state during the Marad riots. It need not be considered as a communal remark.

Many other parties in the LDF, including the CPI, were also aggrieved over Balan's remark.