CPI(M) Attacks Congress Over Bengaluru Demolitions, Eyes Kerala Muslim Vote

• CPI(M) in Kerala launched an aggressive campaign against the Congress over recent demolition drives in Bengaluru, where many affected homes reportedly belong to Muslims.
• Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan publicly criticized the demolitions, leading to a war of words with Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar, who called Vijayan's comments "unfortunate."
• The campaign is reportedly driven by CPI(M)'s electoral setbacks in the 2024 Lok Sabha and local body polls, where a significant section of Muslim sympathizers shifted to the UDF.
• Party leadership assessed that its minority outreach failed, partly due to Pinarayi Vijayan not condemning SNDP leader Vellappally Natesan's anti-Muslim remarks.
• The CPI(M) aims to undermine Congress's standing among Muslims in Kerala and consolidate Muslim votes, following poor performance in recent local body polls.

Why It Matters: CPI(M) uses Bengaluru demolitions to regain Muslim support in Kerala after electoral losses.