The Jama’at-e-Islami has decided to extend support to the left democratic front in the Assembly elections expecting a quid pro quo from the CPM when it floats its own political party.
Sources said Jama’at will launch the Welfare Party, its political front, in May. In Kerala, the main rival for the new party will be the Indian Union Muslim League, as both will be addressing the same constituency. The Jama’at will be expecting the CPM’s help to take on the IUML.
The IUML had burnt its bridges with the Jama’at the moment the latter announced its decision to enter politics. It will not allow any other Muslim political party to occupy its space. Its leaders had convened a meeting of all Muslim organisations at Kottakkal last year seeking their support to isolate the Jama’at.
Jama’at is now left with no other option but to align with the LDF at least in the initial stages since the IUML is a major constituent of the UDF.
Still hurting from its tryst in 2009 with Abdul Nasser Madani, the CPM has cautiously explained its ‘friendship’ with Jama’at. The party state secretary, Mr Pinarayi Vijayan, said the LDF did not go after the Jama’at for support. He added that the Jama’at met him and said the interaction was informal.
The incident came to light on Sunday when a Jama’at leader quit expressing anger at the leadership’s decision to support the LDF.