Thiruvananthapuram, August 13 (BPNS)

The CPI(M) led Left Democratic Front government in the state has once again been put in a spot by Thavanur MLA KT Jaleel. 

In the latest, he stirred a hornet’s nest by making some controversial remarks on Jammu and Kashmir via a Facebook post. Though the former minister withdrew his comments, the BJP has decided to use it as a political weapon to tarnish the lone left government in the country. At the same time, Jaleel is likely to have a bumpy ride ahead as the Tilak Marg Police in New Delhi registered a case against him on suspected treason charges.

It was on Friday that Jaleel courted controversy as while sharing his insights into his recent Kashmir tour he used terms like “Indian-occupied Kashmir” and “Azadi Kashmir”. The post immediately created a political storm.

Though Jaleel remained steadfast at first on his post and his wordings by saying that he had used inverted commas to use the said terms, he finally withdrew the same but only after saying that he meant no hurt and some quarters had misinterpreted it.

While Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Pralhad Joshi called Jaleel a traitor, BJP state secretary K Surendran alleged that Jaleel through such statements is helping Pakistan.

“They’re talking against the country’s interests. Jammu and Kashmir is India’s integral part. We call Pakistan occupied part PoK. If they talk like this, they’re traitors. The Kerala government should deal with them strictly,” said Joshi.

According to Surendran, Jaleel had broken his oath of allegiance to the Constitution and thus he shouldn’t continue as an MLA. He also added that Jaleel’s stance is detrimental to nationalism and will only advantage Pakistan, which is orchestrating insurgency and terrorism in Kashmir.

Echoing the same, Leader of the Opposition VD Satheesan said Jaleel’s remark ran counter to India’s stated position on Kashmir. He also took a jibe at the state government by saying that it will have to be doubted whether Jaleel’s gaffe is part of a larger CPI(M) conspiracy to divert public attention from the scandals dogging the government.

Meanwhile, minister of state for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said that Jaleel’s remarks are nothing less than treason. He also added that the said remarks are a very-very blatant anti-national statement.

However, an official response is yet to come from chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan as well as from CPI(M) state committee.

Earlier, an MLA of the ruling front, Saji Cheriyan, lost his ministership after he made adverse remarks against the Constitution of India.