The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) has distanced itself from its state general secretary PMA Salam following his inflammatory comments against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.
At a public meeting of the party in Vazhakkad on Saturday, Mr. Salam made derogatory remarks when he compared Mr. Vijayan unfavorably to the Chief Ministers of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal and used abusive language to describe him.
The IUML denied Mr Salam’s statement and distanced the party from his remarks. “Political criticism is fine. But the party never agrees to personal attacks on anyone,” said IUML state president Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal. He also warned everyone against personal attacks.
During his Vazhakkad speech, Mr. Salam drew a comparison between the Chief Ministers and said that MK Stalin of Tamil Nadu and West Bengal’s Mamata Banerjee showed a strong stance on the PM-SHRI scheme while Mr. Vijayan chose to sign it. Mr Salam said the Kerala Chief Minister did not fit into the male or female category, drawing widespread criticism.
IUML national general secretary PK Kunhalikutty said his party has maintained dignity even under the harshest political criticism. He acknowledged Mr Salam’s mistake, saying the party had corrected itself and distanced itself from him.
“Anyone can make a mistake, including me. The party will correct it. In Salam’s case, our president has taken corrective action. If I make a similar mistake, the party will correct me. It is more important to convince people about the party’s stand,” Mr. Kunhalikutty said.
The CPI(M) dismissed Mr Salam’s comments as the ramblings of a frustrated man who recognizes that the IUML will not return to power as long as Mr Vijayan leads Kerala.
CPI(M) District Secretary E. Jayan accused Mr. Salam of deliberately trying to incite communal tension. “Mr Salam is aware that his party’s chances of regaining power in Kerala are slim. There are more than 200 Muslim management schools in Kerala that teach the central curriculum and follow the national education policy,” said Mr Jayan.
The CPI(M) district secretariat condemned Mr. Salam’s statement, saying it violated political decorum. It warned that the Chief Minister, who is continuing social activities for the people, cannot be brought down by insults.
Education Minister V Sivankutty slammed Mr Salam, saying his derogatory comments revealed his true nature. “He should not have spoken so foully. His words revealed his true character,” said Mr. Sivankutty.
Published – 02 Nov 2025 16:16 IST
