Malappuram, Kerala: Former Ponnani MLA and CPM leader P. Nandakumar has described Malappuram as a “nest of religious fundamentalists and communalists”. Nandakumar made the remarks while addressing the CPM’s extended district committee meeting in Malappuram on Saturday. The meeting was convened to discuss the party’s organisational activities and political positions in the district.

Senior CPM leaders, including Kerala Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan and KK. Shailaja, were present on the dais when Nandakumar made the statement.

Speaking about the political challenges facing the party in Malappuram, Nandakumar said the district had several “unique circumstances”.

“Malappuram district has several unique circumstances. Malappuram district is a nest of religious fundamentalists and communalists. Naturally, the Communist Party, which counters this and moves forward by bringing together secular movements, needs to examine how it should take up its political responsibilities in the new era. The extended district committee meeting is being held for that purpose,” Nandakumar said.

His comments came in the context of the CPM’s discussion on its political and organisational approach in the district.

Congress MLA responds

Congress leader and Thavanur MLA V.S. Joy, from Malappuram district, responded to the remarks without directly naming Nandakumar.

In a social media post, Joy rejected the description of Malappuram as a “nest” and instead referred to it as a “palace” shaped by secular-minded people.

“Malappuram is not a nest… It is a palace… A gem-studded palace stitched together by secular minds. The history of Malappuram is known not to those who built walls in the name of religion, but to those who built bridges of love between people,” Joy said.

The response came amid reactions from opposition parties and various organisations, which said Nandakumar’s remarks portrayed Malappuram and its people as having extremist tendencies.