CPM rejects RSS feelers, but ties with BJP look up in Kannur

The CPM on Sunday officially turned down the Sangh Parivar feelers for unity, but the bonhomie between the rivals has been growing in Kannur district where both sides had in the past shed blood in several bouts of violence.

Addressing the media, CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said that the RSS move for implementing the communal agenda under the garb of Hindu unity would be opposed.

In an article in its publication, Kesari, the RSS put forward the idea of unity between the CPM and the Sangh Parivar, pointing out several factors, including the prevailing calm in areas once torn by political violence.

The camaraderie between CPM and BJP is tangible in many ways in Kannur, where both find a common foe — Muslim organisations, particularly the right wing Popular Front of India (PFI).

Last month, a young Sangh Parivar activist was murdered allegedly by men belonging to PFI's Campus Front. A group of CPM leaders, led by district secretary P Jayarajan, visited the house of the deceased youth. Similarly, BJP leaders turned up at the CPM office, attacked allegedly by Muslims.

Sources said that the CPM finds it necessary to gain more support from Hindus in many traditional Communist strongholds in Kannur where Muslim outfits are stepping up their presence. The PFI has gained foothold in Chirakkal, Narath, Kambil, Kalliassery and several other CPM bastions, prompting the Left party to look for Sangh Parivar's support.

In Panur, once known for the bloodiest violence between the CPM and the BJP, emerging polarisation is on Hindu-Muslim communal line. The CPM and BJP have gone for a ceasefire in the belt, where Muslims have grown rich.

Unlike the past, the CPM has tacitly allowed the BJP to operate in many Communist villages. During the last Assembly polls, the BJP, for the first time, openly solicited votes in 'Communist' villages in Thalassery. BJP sources said several temples in the region are controlled by CPM-backed committees, giving a platform for common operation for Communists and Sangh Parivar.

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