Kerala Assembly Polls 2026: CPI(M) faces communal allegations as UDF turns the tables

After years of accusing the United Democratic Front (UDF) of cozying up to communal forces, the CPI(M) now finds itself on the defensive, facing similar allegations from its long-time rival front. The UDF is accusing the party of forging an unholy nexus with the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), the political arm of the banned Popular Front of India (PFI).

Over the past six years, the CPI(M) had relentlessly criticised the UDF for receiving support from the Welfare Party of India (WPI), linked to the Jamaat-e-Islami Hind, branding the alliance as communal. Ironically, the Jamaat-e-Islami had backed the Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala until 2019, yet the CPI(M) had never labelled them communal during that period.

The political landscape shifted when the UDF began highlighting the alleged SDPI backing for the CPI(M). Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan and senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala directly accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of orchestrating a vote deal with the SDPI.

Political heat increased after the SDPI withdrew candidates in Vengara and Mankada, where the LDF is supporting independents against UDF’s K.M. Shaji and Manjalamkuzhi Ali respectively. The move has emboldened UDF leaders to attack the CPI(M) on the communal front.

Persistent questions about the alleged SDPI support rattled the Chief Minister on Sunday. When asked, Mr. Vijayan told reporters to approach the SDPI for clarification instead of him and accused the media of pursuing a “special agenda.” He skirted direct answers on whether the CPI(M) would reject SDPI votes. Instead, he tried to turn the spotlight back on the UDF for its alleged alliances with communal elements.

At a press meet, Mr. Vijayan reiterated that the CPI(M) has never aligned with communal forces, maintaining a stance against both minority and majority communalism, both of which he described as dangerous for the State.

CPI(M) national general secretary M.A. Baby also denied the UDF’s allegations. However, like Mr. Vijayan, he too refrained from committing that the LDF would reject SDPI votes. According to analysts, the cautious and evasive responses of the CPI(M) leaders reflect the party’s current predicament, as the UDF skilfully weaponises the same communal narrative that the CPI(M) has used for years.