Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, who has been frequently criticising the Muslim organisation Jamaat-e-Islami, confirmed on Sunday that he had previously met its leaders at their request. Speaking to reporters at a 'meet the press' event held at the Kozhikode Press Club, Vijayan confirmed the meeting and said it took place at the CPI(M) state committee office.
"They asked for an opportunity to meet me, so they came to the CPI(M) state committee office. But I did not give them any good certificate during the meeting," Vijayan said.
According to the Chief Minister, the Jamaat-e-Islami leaders spent the entire meeting attempting to clarify their stance. He said leaders of the Solidarity Youth Movement, the organisation’s youth wing, were also present during the interaction.
"When they introduced the Solidarity leader, I told them to their face that they are the biggest antisocial elements now. They were shocked by my response," he recounted.
Vijayan justified his response by claiming that Solidarity "opposed all good initiatives in the state. We do not hesitate to speak the truth—not then, not now," he added.
The CPI(M) and the ruling LDF are currently opposing Jamaat-e-Islami, alleging the organisation has close links with the UDF. Vijayan has been constantly targeting the group as "a communal group" in recent press conferences ahead of the local body elections.
However, the UDF has counter-claimed that the LDF and CPI(M) had previously held meetings with Jamaat-e-Islami and sought its support during past elections.
Meanwhile, Jamaat-e-Islami Kerala secretary Shihab Pookkottur responded to the Chief Minister’s claim, stating the outfit had never sought any “good certificate” from the CPI(M) in their past meetings.
Sharing a newspaper clipping on Facebook, Pookkottur contested Vijayan’s assertion that the meeting took place only at the CPI(M) state committee office. According to him, discussions were held at multiple locations, including a meeting on March 31, 2011, at the Alappuzha Guest House.
"Then CPI(M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan participated in the talks, while Jamaat-e-Islami was represented by T Arifali and Sheikh Muhammad Karakkunnu,” he said, citing the newspaper report.
He concluded by saying that the CPI(M) had actually sought were votes, which were indeed given, and emphasised: "We never asked for any certificate and none was given. Jamaat-e-Islami does not consider the CPI(M) to be an authority capable of issuing any certificate."
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