Senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, VD Satheesan, recently stated that Jamaat-e-Islami has moved away from its extremist views. This statement has put the Congress and its coalition, the United Democratic Front (UDF), in a challenging position in Kerala.

The CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) has quickly capitalized on Satheesan’s comments, interpreting them as a “clean chit” for Jamaat-e-Islami, which poses complications for the UDF during the Nilambur by-election campaign. Multiple Muslim organizations have fiercely rejected Satheesan’s remarks, particularly his comments regarding Jamaat’s stance on a religious state.

The Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama (EK faction), which opposes any political cooperation with Jamaat-e-Islami, has expressed strong disapproval of Satheesan’s attempt to sanitize the group’s history. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan took the opportunity to praise Samastha’s leadership, noting, “There is democracy in Samastha and space for dissent. What needs to be corrected should be corrected and moved forward.”

Rahmathulla Saqafi Elamaram, State General Secretary of the Kanthapuram faction of Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, criticized Satheesan’s claim about Jamaat-e-Islami’s ideological shift. Similarly, T Abdulla Koya Madani, State President of Kerala Nadvathul Mujahideen (KNM), stated, “I do not agree with Jamaat-e-Islami’s idea of a religious state,” pointing out the group’s historical misuse of religion for political ends.

Within the UDF, dissatisfaction is reportedly growing regarding Satheesan’s endorsement of Jamaat-e-Islami, which many regard as unwarranted and harmful, potentially benefiting both CPI(M) and BJP in the long term. Kerala Congress (Joseph), already under scrutiny from organizations like CASA for its stance on the Munambam port issue, strongly opposed Satheesan’s remarks.

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), another key UDF component, expressed concern that anti-League factions in Samastha might exploit this situation to attack the party. The IUML feels that public acknowledgment of Jamaat-e-Islami could have been avoided, especially amid the sensitive Nilambur bypoll context.

Attempting to clarify, Muslim League leader P.K. Kunhalikutty emphasized that the Welfare Party—with ties to Jamaat-e-Islami—is supporting the UDF independently. Meanwhile, the Catholic Congress, a lay organization of Syro-Malabar Catholics, issued a stern statement condemning the Congress for its association with the Welfare Party, labeling it an affront to Kerala’s secular and democratic principles.

In their statement, the Catholic Congress accused the Congress of compromising core secular values by aligning with a party “ideologically linked to religious fundamentalism.” The Congress high command is reportedly worried about potential national repercussions from the controversy, especially with Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, MP, scheduled to campaign in Nilambur, a district she represents in the Wayanad constituency.

The party is wary of a repeat of the 2019 situation, when the BJP exploited the Muslim League’s involvement in Rahul Gandhi’s Wayanad roadshow against him, which some speculate contributed to his defeat in Amethi.

As part of a damage control strategy, KPCC President Sunny Joseph has started engaging with influential religious leaders. On Friday, he met with Thamarassery Bishop Remigiose Inchananiyil after the Catholic Congress’s strong objection to the Welfare Party partnership. He also met with Jifri Muthukoya Thangal, president of Samastha Kerala Jem-iyyathul Ulama, on Thursday.

On the opposing front, the BJP has intensified its criticism of both major coalitions. Former state BJP chief K Surendran accused both UDF and LDF of attempting to win the Nilambur bypoll with the aid of “communal and extremist forces.”

He remarked, “The UDF has accepted support from the Welfare Party, Jamaat-e-Islami’s political arm. The LDF is being supported by the PDP, which has ties to radical elements.” BJP National Vice President AP Abdullakutty echoed this sentiment, suggesting that both fronts are courting extremist votes.

With the Welfare Party supporting the UDF and Abdul Nasser Madani’s PDP backing the LDF for the June 19 Nilambur bypoll in Malappuram, political turmoil has erupted statewide. The CPM has criticized the Congress for allegedly courting communal forces, to which the Congress has countered by exposing past Left affiliations with both the Welfare Party and PDP. In the meantime, the BJP has accused both Congress and CPI(M) of indulging in “appeasement politics.”