Senior Congress leader A.K. Antony’s remark that some sections of society have the impression that the party is inclined towards minority communities could start a debate in the party as a general secretary said the issue would be deliberated.
“He (Antony) is one of the seniormost leaders. What he has said and observed will certainly be discussed and debated,” AICC general secretary Shakeel Ahmed told reporters.
While the party officially refrained from either endorsing or criticising Mr Antony’s remarks, sources said a party general secretary had more than six months ago communicated in writing to Mr Antony himself in this regard. He had expressed the apprehension that the BJP would try to paint the Congress as a pro-Muslim party and try to derive political mileage by deepening such an impression.
The Congress leader’s argument was that since Hindus are divided in castes and look at themselves more as a minority being in a particular caste and Muslims as a monolithic minority, it helps the BJP’s propaganda.
Sources said the communication by the general secretary to Mr Antony was in response to a letter to all party general secretaries in which they were asked to say what could be the advantage and disadvantage areas for the Congress in the Lok Sabha polls.
The party functionary felt an impression was created that the Congress was indulging in appeasement of minorities, which helped the BJP polarise votes on communal lines.
Another party functionary, however, said Mr Antony’s remark should be seen in the limited context of Kerala where the Congress’ alliance with Indian Union Muslim League accentuated such a perception.
Addressing a meeting held at the KPCC headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram in honour of late Congress stalwart C.K. Govindan Nair on Friday, Mr Antony had said “some sections of society have an impression that the party is inclined to certain communities or organisations. Congress’ policy is equal justice to everyone. But people have doubts about whether that policy is being implemented or not.”
He had added, “This doubt is created by the party’s proximity to minority communities, and such a situation would open the door for the entry of communal forces into Kerala.”