Muslim groups, BJP, Cong slam Achuthanandan

Thiruvananthapurum, Jul 26: As expected, the controversial statements made by Kerala Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan on the Muslim community has stirred up negative responses from several Muslim organisations and political parties.

The CPI(M) leader had earlier stated that the radical outfit Popular Front, which was involved in the attack on a lecturer, wanted to turn the state into a Muslim-majority.

"For achieving that goal, the outfit is pumping money to attract youth and give them weapons. They also try to convert youth from other communities and persuade them to marry Muslim girls," he had said referring to the recent cases of 'Love Jihad'.

Indian Union Muslim League has Achuthanandan's statement as "dangerous" and "insulting the entire community", while UDF called the comments "deplorable".

UDF leaders also said that the veteran Left leader was doing this to play the 'Hindu Card' in the upcoming civic and assembly polls.

"Through his statement, chief minister is testing waters if the LDF could garner votes of the majority community since it has incurred the wrath of the minority communities through its policies," UDF convener P P Thankachan said.

While thankachan, a senior Congress leader, challenged the CPI(M) to come out with its position on Achuthanandan's statement, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) said that the Chief Minister's statement reflected the "double standard" of the party.

OneIndia News