IUML disowns Salam after remarks on CM Pinarayi Vijayan spark outrage

The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has distanced itself from its State general secretary P.M.A. Salam following his inflammatory comments targeting Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

At a public meeting of the party at Vazhakkad on Saturday, Mr. Salam made the derogatory remarks by comparing Mr. Vijayan unfavourably to the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and using offensive language to describe him.

The IUML has disowned Mr. Salam’s statements and disassociated the party from his remarks. “Political criticism is okay. But the party never agrees with personal attacks on anyone,” said IUML State president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal. He also cautioned everyone against personal attacks.

Mr. Salam, during his Vazhakkad speech, had drawn a comparison between the Chief Ministers and said that Tamil Nadu’s M.K. Stalin and West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee showed strong stance on the PM-SHRI scheme whereas Mr. Vijayan chose to sign it. Mr. Salam said that Kerala Chief Minister did not fit into the categories of being a man or a woman, sparking widespread criticism.

IUML national general secretary P.K. Kunhalikutty said that his party maintained dignity even in harshest political criticism. He acknowledged Mr. Salam’s mistake, saying that the party corrected and distanced itself from him.

“Anyone can err, including myself. The party will rectify it. In Salam’s case, our president took corrective action. If I make a similar mistake, the party will correct me too. What is more important is convincing the people about the party’s stand,” said Mr. Kunhalikutty.

The CPI(M) dismissed Mr. Salam’s comments as the ramblings of a frustrated man who recognises that the IUML will not return to power as long as Mr. Vijayan leads Kerala.

CPI(M) district secretary-in-charge E. Jayan accused Mr. Salam of intentionally trying to ignite communal tensions. “Mr. Salam is aware that his party’s chances of regaining power in Kerala are slim. There are more than 200 Muslim management schools in Kerala that teach the Central syllabus and follow the National Education Policy,” said Mr. Jayan.

Condemning Mr. Salam’s statement, the CPI(M) district secretariat said that it violated political decorum. It warned that a Chief Minister who goes ahead with welfare activities for the people cannot be pulled down with insults.

Education Minister V. Sivankutty slammed Mr. Salam, saying his derogatory comments exposed his true nature. “He should not have spoken so vilely. His words revealed his real character,” Mr. Sivankutty said.