Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has alleged that the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) is making decisions for the Congress following the United Democratic Front (UDF) loss in the recent civic polls in the state.

Vijayan also called the current state of affairs with regards to the opposition as "deplorable". He added that getting tamed by the IUML is just an indication of Congress’ “shamelessness” to do anything for a few votes.

“It is a strange experience in politics for one political party to dictate who should lead another party. Such extraordinary and anti-democratic things are happening in the UDF. It seemed like the League would take over the leadership of the UDF after the results of the local body elections came out. Has the League become a centre for commenting on the internal affairs of the Congress and deciding who should lead the Congress?” Vijayan was quoted by PTI.

However, IUML leader P K Kunhalikutty retorted that the party has never interfered in ally Congress’ internal affairs. He blamed Vijayan of playing the “communal card” by making a cheap accusation. On the other hand, the Kerala Congress claimed that the Chief Minister is trying to portray the BJP instead of the UDF to be the premier opposition in the state.

“LDF got 10,114 seats while the UDF bagged 8,022 seats and the BJP 1,600.This election proved that the BJP will not survive in Kerala. They could prove their presence only in a few pockets. The UDF still stands strong. But the CPI (M) is trying to project BJP as an opposition rather than the UDF,” Congress politician Ramesh Chennithala said in a press conference. He admitted that the UDF will work towards correcting their shortcomings and “fight against this government’s corruption.”

P Vijayan had even revealed that the state’s Congress unit had succumbed to the Muslim League's persuasion to ally with communal parties despite opposition from the party’s high-command.