Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition leader VD Satheesan asserted that Congress never joined hands with any communalists to win the Thrikkakara bypoll. Addressing the media here on Tuesday, he criticised the practice of labelling those who clad in ‘Kavi Mundu’ and wear ‘chandanakuri’ (sandalwood paste) on the forehead as communalists.
“Communalist forces have been growing in the state. We had taken a strong stance to defeat communalism in Thrikkakara. We asserted that we don’t need such people’s votes. Congress had vowed that we will win the elections with the votes of secular people,” said the opposition leader.
Meanwhile, he asked the Chief Minister to stop pleasing the majority and minority communal forces in the state.
At the same time, he added that we should not disrespect any religion but move forward by cooperating with all religions.
“When I have the freedom to believe in my religion and follow the rituals, I’m bound to protect the belief of others too. Why should we criticise Rahul and Priyanka for visiting a temple during the election campaign? They believe in Hinduism. I joined the election campaign for the Thrikkakara bypoll after offering prayers at a temple. That doesn’t mean I hold a ‘Soft Hindutva’ stand. The constitution guarantees me the freedom to believe in a religion and follow it,” he added.
Dismissing the allegations of taking a ‘soft Hindutva’ stand, he claimed that only Congress opposed Sangh Parivar at the national level.
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