Palakkad: In connection with the defection of Sandeep Varier from BJP to Congress, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the right wing media is glorifying the same when it is actually going to be a setback for the UDF. He also flayed Sandeep for paying a visit to the prominent Panakkad family stating that one can naturally understand the intention behind his visit. Pinarayi also attacked Muslim League state president Sadiq Ali Shihab Thangal saying he was acting like an ordinary Jamaat-e-Islami follower. 

The Chief Minister was speaking at an election campaign here for LDF candidate P Sarin on Sunday. 

Attacking Sadiq Ali Thangal, he said, "The previous Pannakkad Thangal was someone everyone respected and honoured. But the current Sadiq Ali Thangal is not the same. He behaves like an ordinary follower of Jamaat-e-Islami." 

CM reflects on Babri Masjid demolition in 1992

The Chief Minister shared his memories of one election campaign in Ottappalam after the Babri Masjid demolition in 1992. "The election was held after the Babri Masjid was demolished. The demolition was carried out by the RSS-led Sangh Parivar. However, all the support needed for them was provided by the then Congress Prime Minister and the Central government at that time. At that time, the Muslim League was part of the Congress-led coalition government. There was a call for the League to protest the Congress's stance, but it chose not to resign from the Cabinet."

The Chief Minister noted that there was a widespread resentment within the League when it continued in the Cabinet alongside Congress. "That’s when the Ottappalam election was held. The previous Pannakkad Thangal was someone who was respected and honoured by all. The current Sadiq Ali Thangal, however, behaves like an ordinary follower of Jamaat-e-Islami,” he said . 

He continued that the old Thangal came to cool down the resentment within the League. He, however, could not do it because of the League followers’ resentment over Congress’s wrong policies. Similarly, the League followers would reject the Congress’s move welcoming Sandeep Varier. 

Pinarayi said, "Everyone knows what he (Sandeep Varier) has done until yesterday. Those who were aware of his stance until yesterday know it very well. Can the anger and protests over his deeds be quelled by making two statements at Pannakkad? One can naturally understand the intention behind his visit. This is a setback for the UDF."