Kerala: Congress Ambivalence Over Ram Mandir Invite Is Sign Of Its Utter And Total Dependence On Muslim League

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and the Samastha, a Muslim organisation closely linked to the IUML, have been dropping hints that they would not like Congress leaders to attend the Ram temple inauguration on 22 January. The party has also been criticised for what is being called as its 'soft-Hindutva' approach.

Congress party president Mallikarjun Kharge, the party's leader in the Lok Sabha, Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury and Sonia Gandhi have been invited for the ceremony.

While the IUML has called it an election ploy of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and asked parties not to fall into the trap, the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama, well known as 'Samastha', in its editorial stated, “the Congress stand that the party can attend the ceremony is only meant to prevent depletion of Hindu votes in North India. It is the soft Hindutva approach of the Congress that has taken the party, which ruled the country for 36 years, to the present situation.’’

Officially though, the IUML has said that the Congress is free to take its own decision.

What Is The Stand Of The Congress Party?

The Congress is divided. While K Muraleedharan, the party's MP from Vadakara, said that the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) is against the party's leaders attending the ceremony and had conveyed the same to AICC general secretary KC Venugopal, the party has not yet taken a stand at the national level because a boycott could cost the party electorally.

In what can be seen as a way of trying to find a way to wriggle out, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said that religion is a personal matter and those invited should not be judged as anti-Hindu if they choose not to go or be seen as playing into the BJP's hands if they choose to attend the ceremony.

The CPI(M) Has Been Portraying The Congress As A Party That Is Straying Away From Secularism

The issue has been used by the ruling CPI(M) to portray itself as the only alternative to BJP's Hindutva politics. It has been signalling that the Congress, due to its ambivalence and 'soft-Hindutva', should no longer be seen by minorities as a 'secular' alternative.

Congress Tied Up In Knots

The Congress, therefore, is in trouble on several fronts. The party itself is divided, the IUML and Samastha have become bold enough to drop such hints, and its main rival in the state, the CPI(M), is portraying the Congress as no longer secular enough.

It is also of important to note that this dilemma for the Congress comes in the wake of the controversy caused by the remarks of Udhayanidhi Stalin of its alliance partner, the DMK. Addressing a seminar, the DMK leader had called for the eradication of Sanatana Dharma. His remarks are considered to be one of the reasons for the Congress party's loss in the three Hindi-speaking states.

Why Is This Politically Significant?

The answer is that it is a reflection of the growing weight of the League in the Congress-led UDF and shows that the national party in Kerala is now becoming completely dependent on its ally and minority votes.

The League knows that it brings what can be called as 'guaranteed seats' to the UDF table, due to demographic reasons. This includes Rahul Gandhi's constituency of Wayanad.

While the Congress is also said to enjoy the support of the Christians, that claim is no longer undisputed as a good part of them now support the LDF after the Kerala Congress (Mani) switches sides.

This also comes at a time when the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) has been wooing the IUML and trying to capture a part of the minority vote in the state. The Samastha is already believed to be tilting towards the LDF.

The CPI(M) has already announced that its leaders would not be attending the inauguration ceremony.

There has also been speculation that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan might pitch his son-in-law, Mohammad Riyas, as the next chief minister. If that happens, it is likely to lead to a Muslim vote consolidation behind the LDF.

Congress Likely To Continue Ambivalent Stand But Muslim League's Increasing Strength Clearer Than Before

The Congress has not been able to figure a way out and it is unlikely to do so soon. It is likely to keep its ambivalent stance till the end.

While a decision to attend the ceremony may not affect the party badly, the episode has made the writing on the wall clearer than before. The Muslim League is now in a position to dictate terms to the Congress in Kerala.