Malappuram , 25 Jan (H.S.):Senior CPI(M) leader Paloli Mohammed Kutty on Sunday said that the controversial remarks made by Kerala Minister Saji Cheriyan were “things that should never have been said,” and admitted that the episode was unfortunate for the party. Speaking in Malappuram, Paloli said the Communist Party of India (Marxist) had rightly asked the minister to withdraw his statement as it went against the party line.

Paloli underlined that while mistakes do happen, the party acted promptly because the comments were clearly against CPI(M)’s ideological and political position. “It was something that should not have happened. Unfortunately, it did. Since it was anti-party, the leadership asked for the statement to be withdrawn,” he said, indicating that discipline within the party remained intact.

Turning his attention to the opposition, Paloli launched a sharp attack on the Indian Union Muslim League, alleging that its success in the recent local body elections in Malappuram was driven by money power. He claimed that votes were purchased by distributing large sums of cash. “The Muslim League made gains by spending money. Votes were bought by paying lakhs,” he alleged, adding that the scale of expenditure deserved serious scrutiny.

Responding to criticism that CPI(M) was attempting to “whitewash” SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan, Paloli rejected the charge. He clarified that while the party agreed with some of Vellappally’s statements, it did not endorse everything he said. “We cannot force anyone to speak only what we like. There are points we agree with and points we don’t,” he said.

Paloli further argued that criticisms raised were aimed at the Muslim League as a political organisation, not at Malappuram district or Islam. “Whenever the League is criticised, it is portrayed as an attack on Islam. Even when Malappuram is mentioned, the same argument is raised. That is how the League responds to criticism,” he said.

Dismissing claims that educational institutions were being denied to SNDP Yogam in Malappuram, Paloli called the allegation false. He also pointed out that Muslim League leader Sadiq Ali Thangal had himself admitted to an alliance with the Welfare Party, and later claimed that the tie-up had been ended. “Only an existing alliance can be ended,” Paloli remarked.

He concluded by demanding a probe into the League’s election spending, alleging that crores of rupees had flowed in through the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre during the local body polls.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman