‘Touched feet; danced to their tunes’: BJP alleges Muslim League influence in Kerala CM selection

The Kerala unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Thursday targeted the Congress after VD Satheesan was named as the next chief minister of Kerala, alleging that the decision reflected the influence of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) over the party’s internal functioning.

The BJP’s remarks came shortly after the Congress formally announced Satheesan’s name, with criticism centred on claims that the IUML would have a dominant role in shaping governance and leadership decisions in Kerala.

Allegations of IUML influence and political dependency

In its posts on X, the Kerala BJP alleged that the chief minister would effectively function under the influence of the IUML, suggesting that Congress leadership would be aligned with the League’s direction.

The posts also claimed that the Congress’ position in Kerala reflected political dependency on the IUML, including assertions that the party would be unable to function or protect its electoral interests without its alliance partner.

It further suggested that the leadership change was indicative of internal power dynamics shaped by coalition pressures.

AI-generated images and symbolic criticism

Alongside these claims, the BJP shared AI-generated images, video portraying Congress leaders in symbolic subservience to IUML leadership. One such visual depicted Congress leaders appearing to dance to the directions of IUML supremo Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal, while another showed IUML as the effective centre of authority within the Congress alliance arrangement.

The images further included representations of Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi appearing to touch the feet of Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal.

All such posts carried the hashtag #CongressPoliticsOfAppeasement.

VD Satheesan named Kerala chief minister

The Congress on Thursday named VD Satheesan as the next chief minister of Kerala, ending days of suspense and speculation over the matter.

The announcement was made at a press conference addressed by AICC in-charge of Kerala Deepa Dasmunsi, party central observers Ajay Maken and Mukul Wasnik, and Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh.

The Congress holds 63 MLAs in the 140-member Kerala Assembly. Its allies include the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) with 22 MLAs, Kerala Congress (KEC) with eight, and the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) with three.