Days after the Bishop of Pala, Joseph Kallarangatt, made a controversial comment on “narcotic jihad” in Kerala, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) – that leads the ruling Left Democratic Front in the state – accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to reap political benefits out of the situation, dividing people on communal lines. The BJP had been vocal in its support of bishop who in the same breath had put “narcotic jihad” and “love jihad” – a long-held claim by right-wing groups that Muslim men “lure” Hindu women for forced conversion – together.

“No statement should be made by anyone that would create religious polarisation in the society. People of Kerala long for communal harmony and peace. No one should make any offensive reference to break that harmony. The BJP is trying to communally exploit the issue,” acting secretary of CPI(M) in Kerala, A Vijayaraghavan, said in a tweet.

Although he did not mention “narcotic jihad”, the statement came after the opposition Congress accused the state government of remaining “a mute spectator” over the issue. Responding to Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan’s allegations that the CPI(M) had tied up with the SDPI (Social Democratic Party of India) to beat the Congress-led UDF in Kottayam’s Erattupetta, Vijayaraghavan said that the Congress had tied up with Jamaat-e-Islami to garner votes.

“Congress has no moral basis to criticise the government in this matter. They contested the last Assembly elections by garnering the votes of communal parties like Jamaat-e-Islami. Even the Leader of Opposition got elected to the Assembly, after enjoying such advantages”, the CPI(M) leader said.