CPI(M) excluding Congress from seminar on UCC divisive: IUML

Malappuram (Kerala): Key Congress ally in Kerala, the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) on Sunday rejected the ruling CPI(M)'s overtures to take part in its seminars on the hotly debated Uniform Civil Code (UCC), claiming that the Left party was trying to create "conflict" and "division" by not inviting the grand old party.

The IUML said it was implied from the CPI(M)'s invite that it had "no good intentions" and there was no need for a seminar which divides people -- a response that comes as a blow to the Left party which was optimistic of seeing the League take part in its first seminar to be held on July 15 in Kozhikode district of the state.

Throwing its weight behind the Congress, the League said without the grand old party's leadership and support, it would not be possible for anyone to fight against the UCC at the national level as it was an issue concerning everyone in India and not just the Muslims.

The IUML announced its decision after a meeting of the party leadership at Panakkad here following the proposal by CPI(M) state secretary M V Govindan that had upset the Congress and led it to accuse the Left party of turning the UCC into a Hindu versus Muslim issue for gaining political mileage.

After the meeting, the IUML's state chief Sayyid Sadik Ali Shihab Thangal told reporters that every party has the freedom to hold seminars or programmes on the issue and every party or religious organisation has the freedom to attend it or not.

"We are a key ally of the UDF and since no one UDF member has been invited to its seminar by the CPI(M), we cannot participate in it. The Indian National Congress (INC) is the sole party which can strengthen the opposition to the UCC nationwide,", it said. (PTI)