Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has accused Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra of receiving support from Jamaat-e-Islami, an Islamist organization, in her campaign for the Wayanad by-election. In a Facebook post on Thursday, Vijayan asserted that the Congress party’s “secular mask” has been stripped away, with the Welfare Party—a political entity affiliated with Jamaat-e-Islami—endorsing Priyanka Gandhi in the bypoll.

Vijayan questioned Congress’s secular credentials, asking, "What exactly is Congress's stance? Does Jamaat-e-Islami, known for its rigid ideological stance, align with democratic values?" He added that Jamaat-e-Islami has historically shown a disregard for Indian democratic principles and often uses the guise of welfare to enter politics.

The Wayanad by-election, set for November 13, became necessary after Rahul Gandhi vacated his seat. Priyanka Gandhi is now running against CPI(M)'s Sathyan Mokeri and BJP’s Navya Haridas. Vijayan noted that Jamaat-e-Islami’s presence in this election, through the Welfare Party, aligns with sectarian goals. He criticized the organization, saying, “Jamaat does not see the country or its democracy as important.”

Referring to recent Jammu and Kashmir Assembly elections, Vijayan alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami planned to field candidates there solely to unseat CPI(M) leader Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, a move he claimed was indirectly supported by the BJP. "Despite this alliance of extremists and the BJP, the people chose Tarigami," Vijayan said.

Vijayan called on Congress to clarify its stance on secularism and whether it would reject votes from Jamaat-e-Islami supporters, emphasizing that a commitment to secular values requires opposition to sectarianism.

The Wayanad bypoll highlights Kerala’s complex political dynamics as parties navigate alliances and ideological divides, with both the CPI(M) and BJP vying to challenge Congress’s influence in the state.

BJP Spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari says," It is blatantly clear that Priyanka Vadra and Rahul Gandhi asking for support of Jamaat-e-Islami has cleared their stand that they want to run their party as the modern Muslim League. Earlier, Congress also attempted to take support of Indian Union Muslim League. All these points towards that the Congress is the front of the 'tukde-tukde' organisations and Congress is 100% communal and appeasing party."