Kozhikode (Kerala): Highlighting concerns over communal influence in governance, BJP leader K Surendran stated on Friday that the education portfolio in Kerala must not be allocated to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

Speaking to the press in Kozhikode, the former BJP state president argued that a "national party" should oversee the education department rather than a party based on religious identity.

"Whenever the IUML handled the ministry, there were several allegations. People will give their opinion about it. Our stand has always been that the education department should not be given to a religious party but should be handled by a national party," Surendran remarked.

The BJP leader further alleged that the IUML is currently leveraging "pressure politics" within the United Democratic Front (UDF) to influence major decisions, including the selection of the Chief Minister. He warned that such dynamics are detrimental to the state’s welfare.

"We have been hearing that if the UDF comes to power, it will be controlled by the IUML and Jamaat-e-Islami. This is what we are witnessing now," he claimed.

Surendran also alleged that the UDF's recent election strategy was dictated from a "war room" operated by Jamaat-e-Islami.

The statements follow a closely watched electoral battle in Manjeshwar, where Surendran lost to IUML candidate AKM Ashraf. Overall, the BJP secured three seats in the current assembly elections.

PTI