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IUML divided on action against Kunhalikutty

D Jose in Thiruvanthapuram

The Supreme Court's directive to the Kerala government to take action against all those involved in the Kozhikode sex scandal has sharply divided the Indian Union Muslim League, second largest constituent of the Congress-led United Democratic Front.

The court's order to the state government to comply within a month has put the League in a spot of bother.

Leaguers fear the police might include former industries minister P K Kunhalikutty, IUML leader in the state assembly, in its chargesheet filed last week, especially because relations between the ruling Left Democratic Front and the party are strained.

Kunhalikutty has already been indicted in another case.

The court's directive, issued on Monday, came in response to a petition by K Ajitha, president of Anweshi (Seeker), a women's organisation which exposed the racket.

Ajitha has accused Kunhalikutty of active involvement in the scandal and demanded an inquiry by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

Stree Vedi, an umbrella organisation of almost 40 women's groups, including Anweshi, is spearheading an agitation demanding Kunhalikutty's arrest.

Chief Minister E K Nayanar, who is also the state's home minister, has thus far maintained that investigations have not found any basis for the allegations against Kunhalikutty.

Ajitha is leading a vehicle procession from Kanhingad to Thiruvanthapuram to demand the arrest of all those involved in the racket. She has pointed out in her petition that Kunhalikutty was named in the report of Director General (prosecution) Kallada Sukumaran, but was later excluded from the list of accused "for political reasons".

Any action against Kunhalikutty might create new problems for the IUML, which has already angered the Congress by trying to build new political affiliations even while staying in the UDF.

A section in the party fears this might lead to a split since the former minister has a large following in the rank and file. In fact, it was Kunhalikutty's idea to try and enter the Marxist-led LDF, even if it meant having to change the party's name.

Kunhalikutty has lent considerable support to the government from the time it was formed and prevented the League's frontal organisations from attacking it. He also did not let the party associate with the famous Payyavur agitation run by the Congress for about two months.

Many had interpreted this soft approach as part of a strategy to prevent action against Kunhalikutty in any of the cases in which he is allegedly involved.

Top IUML leaders have refused to comment on the Supreme Court order, pleading lack of details. But a source close to Kunhalikutty said the campaign by the women's organisations is politically motivated, to weaken the Muslim League whose support the Congress has always needed to capture power in Kerala. To prove his point, the source pointed out that Ajitha is a former Naxalite and a friend of the Left.

Meanwhile, the IUML's middle-level leadership is divided over the future course of action. A big section believes that allowing Kunhalikutty to continue in his present position will do irreparable damage to the party. They also do not expect any help from the LDF since the recent congress of the Communist Party of India-Marxist in Calcutta conclusively rejected the IUML's attempt to get entry into the front. Many see this too as Kunhalikutty's political defeat.

Kunhalikutty had also tried to align with Mulayam Singh Yadav of the Samajwadi Party as a detour to the LDF. But Yadav deserted him after the CPI-M, which is now trying to forge a third front at the national level, made its position on the League clear. Politburo member V S Achutanandan firmly ruled out any truck with the IUML and termed the Marxists' previous alliance with the party "a blunder".

Meanwhile, the Congress is happy. Congress politicians think the IUML now has no choice but to stand firmly with them and launch an all-out attack on the state government.

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