Controversies have been rife ever since the election campaign began in the Palakkad assembly constituency. On the day of silent campaigning, a CPI(M) newspaper advertisement, anything but subtle, ignited a fresh row.
The advertisement appeared in four newspapers, including the local editions of Malayalam dailies Siraj and Suprabhatham. Notably, Siraj is the mouthpiece of the Samastha AP faction, while Suprabhatham is controlled by the EK Samastha faction, both catering primarily to Muslim readers. Interestingly, the ad did not feature in any edition of the CPI(M)’s official mouthpiece, Deshabhimani.
The advertisement prominently showcased the image of Congress defector and LDF candidate Dr P. Sarin, claiming a "Sarin Wave" in the Palakkad constituency. However, it also included old statements and Facebook posts by Sandeep Warrier, who recently defected from the BJP to the Congress.
Previously, LDF leaders had welcomed Warrier’s shift to the Left Front, fueling speculation that the firebrand leader was transitioning from saffron to red. However, Warrier ultimately aligned himself with the Congress, a move that surprised many. The advertisement criticized Warrier, labeling him a ‘vishanaavu’ (venomous tongue), while accusing Congress of sidelining a secular leader like Sarin, but at the same time welcoming someone from what the ad described as a sectarian ideology.
Amid the controversy, State Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh refuted Congress's claims that the advertisement was exclusively published in Siraj and Suprabhatham. He attributed the choice of newspapers to cost considerations and questioned the logic of associating a newspaper's identity with a particular religion.
The advertisement was reportedly released by the LDF without obtaining prior approval from the Media Certification and Monitoring Committee. The UDF considers this ad as a follow up step to the controversial remarks made by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other LDF leaders questioning the secular credentials of IUML President Panakkad Syed Sadikali Shihab Thangal. They interpret these actions as deliberate attempts to eat into their minority support base.
Leader of the Opposition, V.D. Satheesan, accused the CPI(M) of using divisive tactics. He compared the ad campaign to the circulation of ‘kafir’ screenshots during the Vadakara Lok Sabha elections, alleging it was a deliberate attempt to split minority votes in Palakkad to the BJP's advantage.
Satheesan further suggested that the LDF had resigned itself to a likely third-place finish in Palakkad and was resorting to questionable strategies. With Muslims comprising around 22.5 per cent of the constituency's population, the UDF is counting on a united minority vote to secure a victory over the BJP. However, indications suggest that a split in minority votes could ultimately benefit the BJP.
