THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Congress allying with Shiv Sena in Maharashtra has put state Muslim League in the dock. Crisis over the issue is building up within state Congress too.
Protesting the alignment, Malappuram DCC secretary offered his resignation.
Congress leadership in the state is increasingly worried about minority sentiments on the unexpected Maharashtra bonding that came as a slap in its face.
In barely weeks after senior Muslim League leaders meeting Sonia Gandhi to express concern over Congress’s mild Hindutva strategy, the Congress sealed its alliance with Shiv Sena to form govt in Maharashtra.
Sonia had justified the coalition plan as a strategy to keep BJP at bay. But the argument did not go down well with the allies.
Worse, the party is now sending out signals about its commitment to Hindu sentiments. The party post the Maharashtra govt formation, announced that the new merger will create synergy for Congress. The declaration was a bombshell to the already devastated minorities.
League in a Tight Spot
Muslim League leadership in the state is groping for answers to face up to followers According to sources, the League has conveyed the state Congress, its strong discontent over the Congress-Sena alignment
Stuck with the situation, the state League and Congress now can only speculate discord to erupt between the unusual partners in Maharashtra.
Mullapally and Chennithala Strangely Quiet
When Ajit Pawar briefly aligned with BJP, KPCC President Mullapally Ramachandran and Ramesh Chennithala were full-throated in their demand for ousting NCP from LDF.
Chennithala was clinging to the then relief that Congress stayed out of Shiv Sena fold.
Mullapally went a step ahead revealing that, he has been empathetic to High Command in his request to abstain from any kind of commitment to Shiv Sena.
Post the govt formation however, both leaders are tight-lipped.
Unarguably, coming days will see a lot mud slinging within Congress. The sole solace to its leadership is that, even if Congress after allying with Shiv Sena, were to court BJP at some point tomorrow, the Muslim League has no political space anywhere than at UDF camp.
