Kerala polls: On SDPI votes, CPI’s Binoy Viswam says party hasn’t explicitly rejected any and ‘all votes welcome’

When queried on Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) votes, Binoy Viswam, Kerala State secretary of the Communist Party of India (CPI), has said the party “has not explicitly rejected any” votes, stating that “all votes of the people are welcome”.

Despite repeated queries from the media to directly name the SDPI, Mr. Viswam avoided doing so. He, however, maintained that the CPI has never sought SDPI votes and that the party “has no ideological alignment with communal organisations or religious sectarian politics.”

He underscored the stance while addressing the ‘Vottum Vaakkum’ election programme organised by Kasaragod Press Club on Monday (March 30, 2026).

“Who people vote for is their decision. We present a politics based on development and secularism,” he said, explaining the party’s stance.

Rejecting allegations of a CPI(M)-BJP deal, Mr. Viswam countered that “the real understanding” is between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Indian National Congress. He claimed that “history would reveal this” and alleged that the “stain“ of ties with the BJP lies with the Congress.

He also accused Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan of raising CPI(M)-BJP allegations to conceal this reality. He added that the Left was “open to dialogue” with any party on development issues and was “not afraid of” discussions.

Slams Centre on FCRA

Criticising the Centre over the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) amendment Bill, Mr. Viswam alleged that the BJP’s “true face has once again been exposed.”

He accused the party of maintaining a hostile stance towards minorities, pointing to attacks on Christians in north India while projecting friendliness in Kerala.

“The FCRA laws reveal the real face of a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” he said, adding that religious leaders must recognise “the contradiction between public gestures of harmony in Kerala and the alleged attacks on minorities elsewhere.”

Mr. Viswam said the Left would continue to move forward with the clarity in its political position and “will not compromise on opposing communal politics.”