Satheesan emphasised the UDF's commitment to secular values and its focus on addressing people's concerns, rather than getting swayed by communal tactics.
Published Jul 03, 2025 | 1:03 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 18, 2025 | 11:23 AM
VD Satheesan. (Facebook)
Synopsis: Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan speaks about the Congress’s prospects in the upcoming elections in Kerala, the BJP’s presence in the state, the LDF’s allegedly failed governance, and the increasing attempts to polarise the state.
After the Nilambur by-poll victory, Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly VD Satheesan is seemingly confident of the Congress’s prospects in the upcoming Assembly elections in 2026.
In an interview with South First, the Congress leader, representing the Paravur constituency in the Kerala Assembly, discussed the party’s prospects in the state. He dismissed the BJP’s efforts to woo Christian voters, citing their history of communal politics.
Satheesan emphasised the UDF’s commitment to secular values and its focus on addressing people’s concerns, rather than getting swayed by communal tactics.
Q: Even though the last Lok Sabha elections didn’t suggest a similar trend, will the BJP’s efforts to woo the Christian community in Kerala potentially sway the upcoming Assembly elections, particularly in central Kerala, where there is a concentration of Christian voters who traditionally vote for the UDF? Will the BJP’s strategic move consolidate Christian votes and inadvertently pave the way for the LDF’s return to power for a third term?
A: The people of Kerala are deeply political and socially conscious — they will not fall for the divisive communal tactics of the BJP and RSS. Voters are focused on real, everyday issues and are preparing to reject the grossly unpopular LDF government in the upcoming elections.
It is true that the BJP has made efforts to woo Christian voters, but the community at large has seen through their real intentions. There have been numerous instances of attacks on churches, clergy and nuns by Sangh Parivar fringe elements across various parts of the country. The BJP’s sudden affection for the Christian community is nothing more than a superficial, opportunistic and vote-driven tactic.
It’s no secret that the BJP and the CPI(M) have operated hand in glove in Kerala. The BJP has used the CPI(M) as a pawn in its larger “Congress-mukt Bharat” agenda. Even the CPI(M) State Secretary (MV Govindan) has divulged about its tie-up with the BJP in the past. This unholy nexus was evident in Nilambur, where the BJP, initially, even hesitated to field a candidate, tacitly supporting the CPI(M).
The Nilambur by-election served as a litmus test ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections, and the result speaks volumes. Nilambur, a true microcosm of Kerala, saw Hindus, Muslims and Christians voting decisively in favour of the UDF. The BJP’s attempt to polarise the Christian community failed miserably.
Q: Given the complexities of Kerala’s communal dynamics, how do you assess the narrative of demographic shifts fueling tensions between communities? Do you believe that Islamophobia can ever be a justifiable reason for the Christian community to form a political alliance with the BJP?
A: I believe the very premise of the question is flawed. There is no political alliance between the Christian community and the BJP. There cannot be such an alliance. In fact, the notion that Christians have gravitated toward the Sangh Parivar is a false narrative deliberately crafted by them. The RSS and BJP are merely attempting to woo the Christian community for their own political gain.
Look at the reality in BJP-ruled states — numerous churches have been vandalised, and members of the clergy, including nuns, have been attacked. These actions speak louder than their hollow outreach efforts. The Christian community, which stands for peace, compassion, and justice, will never align politically with the BJP.
Regarding the issue of Islamophobia — or for that matter, hatred against any religion — it fundamentally violates the spirit of our Constitution. We uphold the Indian Constitution as our supreme guiding document. It enshrines secularism, where all religions coexist with mutual respect, fraternity, and brotherhood.
To suggest that the Christian community harbours animosity toward the Muslim community is a dangerous and baseless narrative, propagated by the BJP and its fringe allies to manipulate voters. It is part of their hate campaign.
Kerala, with its rich tradition of secularism and communal harmony, will not succumb to such divisive tactics. I believe Kerala will continue to lead by example and remain a beacon of secular values for the rest of India.
Q: Given the BJP’s significant vote share growth in the last Lok Sabha elections, largely at the expense of traditional parties, who do you believe, the UDF or LDF, will be more adversely affected by the BJP’s emerging presence in Kerala’s political landscape?
A: I don’t believe the BJP has managed to make any significant impact on Kerala’s political landscape. The results of the Lok Sabha elections are often seen as exceptions, driven by the direct national-level contest between the Congress and the BJP. The story is different when it comes to state-level politics.
For instance, take the recent Nilambur by-election; despite all their efforts, the BJP failed to make any notable improvement in their vote share. The people of Kerala have consistently rejected communal ideologies, and that remains the primary reason why the BJP continues to struggle in establishing a meaningful presence in the state’s political arena.
I believe that the people of Kerala, with their strong secular values, will never embrace the BJP.
Q: What strategic adjustments might your party consider to mitigate the above challenge?
A: The UDF is fully committed to making the 2026 elections political rather than communal. Our focus remains firmly on the daily struggles of the common people, and we are determined to take these issues forward with urgency and clarity.
The CPI(M) and the BJP are attempting to divert attention from their failures by communalising the elections. Take Kerala’s much-hyped health model; it has now been exposed for what it truly is. The Opposition has repeatedly raised concerns about the collapse of the healthcare system, both inside and outside the Assembly.
Now, even government doctors have been compelled to speak out about the alarming conditions. There is an acute shortage of essential medicines, and the cracks in the system are undeniable.
We’ve also consistently highlighted pressing issues such as the plight of farmers, the increasing threat of wild animal attacks and the growing menace of drug abuse. The recent by-election victories have given us renewed confidence and momentum. With strengthened resolve, we will continue to stand with the people and carry these issues forward with even greater vigour.
Q: LDF candidate M Swaraj took a principled stance in Nilambur, rejecting support from communal forces. Shouldn’t the UDF, as a champion of secular values, take a similar, unequivocal position to uphold the integrity of democratic politics in Kerala and reject the backing of communal forces? Why didn’t the UDF take such an open stand ahead of the Nilambur by-election?
A: I consider your claim about M Swaraj’s so-called “principled stance” in Nilambur — rejecting support from communal forces — as nothing
more than a joke. The CPI(M) has a long history of aligning with communal outfits.
In fact, in this Nilambur election, they have aligned with the likes of PDP (People’s Democratic Party) and the Swami of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha. Are these not communal forces?
The UDF, in contrast, has consistently upheld secular values and remains unwavering in that commitment. It was the Congress that enshrined the word “secularism” into the Constitution, making it a core, immutable principle of our democracy.
Today, the RSS-BJP openly advocate for its removal — but it is the Congress that has stood firm in resisting such dangerous attempts and continues to defend the secular fabric of this nation with conviction. Our strong secular stance doesn’t change with elections.
Q: How do you respond to critics who argue that the Congress party’s pragmatic approach to alliances and coalitions may compromise its commitment to secular values, and what steps would you take to ensure that the party’s secular credentials remain intact?
A: As I said before, the very foundation of the Congress party is rooted in secular values, and we will never compromise those principles for mere political gains. It’s important to understand that Indian secularism does not mean rejecting religion — it means embracing and respecting all religions equally.
Our coalition, the UDF, is a model for the entire country. Even though it is the confederation of various parties, it has stuck to secular principles. We value every faith — Hindu, Muslim, Christian, and all others, regardless of size or following — with the same regard.
This inclusive approach is not a deviation from Congress’s ideology; it is, in fact, its very essence.
Q: Does your recent statement about Jamaat-e-Islami (Hind), an organisation with alleged extremist ties, signal an opportune compromise for getting votes, and could this strategic decision potentially alienate core supporters and compromise the party’s long-term credibility? I was referring to your clean chit to them by saying that the Jamat-e-Islami have abandoned their extremist positions?
A: The CPI(M) is clearly engaging in double standards here. Consider the facts: During the Nilambur by-election, the Welfare Party (of India) extended its support to the UDF, prompting sharp criticism from the CPI(M). However, for nearly a decade, the LDF had no qualms about accepting support from the Jamaat-e-Islami. Back then, it was entirely acceptable to them.
Now, when the Welfare Party supports the UDF, the CPI(M) suddenly raises objections. What kind of hypocrisy is this? All I’ve done in my press meetings is highlight this glaring contradiction in the LDF’s stance.
It’s the double standard of the CPI(M) that I’ve called out and exposed before the public. Remember, the Welfare Party is not part of the UDF; they just provided outside support to us.
(Welfare Party of India is the political outfit of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind.)
Q: Given the CPI(M)’s strategic silence on countering campaigns from organisations like the Campus Front of India (CFI), which have been accused of targeting specific communities, and the growing Hindutva influence over temples and religious spaces in Kerala, what specific measures will the Congress take to address these challenges at the grassroots level and protect the state’s secular fabric?
A: This is what I said: The CPI(M) is merely indulging in secular rhetoric without any genuine conviction. There is no honesty in their words. Much like the BJP, they are also attempting to communalise society, but for different reasons. The CPI(M) seeks to stir communal tensions as a way to distract from the failures of the LDF government.
Meanwhile, the BJP is trying to replicate its usual divisive playbook in Kerala. However, both are destined to fail.
The outcome of the Nilambur by-election was a resounding rejection of the communal politics peddled by both the BJP and the CPI(M). The UDF, in contrast, has consistently upheld secular values. We firmly believe that the answer to communalisation is not counter-communalisation.
The first and most important step is to make people aware of the growing threat of communal polarisation, which diverts attention from the real issues affecting their daily lives.
We oppose both majority communalisation as well as minority communalisation alike. The UDF is fully committed to bringing people-centric issues — jobs, healthcare, education, farmers’ concerns — to the forefront. That is our priority, and that is where our focus will remain.
Q: Do you assess the rising threat of extremist groups within the Christian community, such as CASA (Christian Association & Alliance For Social Action), which appear to be emerging as a response to Muslim radicalisation, and what specific strategies does the Congress propose to address the underlying factors driving this trend, including social alienation, ideological polarisation, and the exploitation of emotional vulnerabilities?
A: As I mentioned earlier, the UDF will firmly oppose any attempt to communalise society, regardless of the organisation behind it. We are committed to launching initiatives that raise public awareness about the growing trend of communal polarisation. It is the narrative of the Sangh parivar to make a split among social and religious groups.
Unfortunately, they have created some organisations for this purpose. However, we will ensure that they cannot do anything to create divisions. Our focus will remain on addressing the real issues faced by the people.
When these concerns are brought to the forefront and genuinely addressed, it will lead to a more politically conscious society — one that actively rejects any attempt to divide people along communal lines.
Q: Shashi Tharoor has been persistently praising Narendra Modi, despite the discomfort it causes within Congress quarters. What strategic calculations might be driving his approach, and how does this impact the party’s overall narrative and messaging? Will these kinds of statements become a liability to the party?
A: Dr Shashi Tharoor is a member of the Congress Working Committee, the party’s highest decision-making body. I am in no position to assess or pass judgement on his statements.
It is for the Congress president and the AICC (All India Congress Committee) to determine if there has been any deviation from the party line.
Q: In light of the multiple aspirants vying for the chief minister’s position in Kerala post-elections, you had made an explicit declaration of not being a contender. What strategic advantages or disadvantages do you perceive this dynamic presents for the Congress party, particularly in terms of internal cohesion, electoral appeal, and post-election manoeuvring?
A: As the Parliamentary Party Leader of the Congress and Chairman of the UDF, my foremost responsibility is to lead the UDF back to power
in the 2026 Assembly elections. The UDF remains a cohesive, united front, functioning like a well-oiled machine. In every recent by-election, we have either emerged victorious or significantly improved our position.
Contrary to the narrative pushed by a section of the media, there are no internal rifts or lack of coordination within the Congress or the UDF. We are firmly united and focused.
‘Team UDF’ is fully committed to winning the 2026 elections, and our target is clear — to secure more than 100 seats. There is no distraction or doubt about our goal.”
(Edited by Muhammed Fazil.)
