A A Rahim, president, democratic youth federation of India (DYFI), popularly known as Prof Luttappi, is the CPI(M) candidate for the biennial election to Rajya Sabha from Kerala.
Rahim is a familiar face in Kerala’s Malayalam TV channels donning the role of CPI(M) spokesman and is a star in the social media where netizens address him as Prof Luttappi in reverence.
He was elevated to the post of DYFI president following the resignation of Mohammed Riyaz, the second husband of Veena, daughter of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Riyaz quit as DYFI chief following his induction in the council of ministers headed by Vijayan. Rahim’s candidature is seen as the fall out of the pressure exerted on chief minister Vijayan by his son-in-law and Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Muslaiyar.
Rahim is an Islamic hardliner who has expressed his opposition to the law banning Triple Talaq introduced by the BJP-led government at the Centre. His promotion to the Rajya Sabha is seen as the CPI(M)’s effort to consolidate the Islamic votes in favour of the Rainbow Alliance which would be formed in time for the 2024 Lok Sabha election.
Though there were reports that Thomas Issac, former finance minister of Kerala, was in the running for Rajya Sabha nomination, the move was shot down by Pinarayi Vijayan and party secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan who were suspicious of the Thomas Issac-M A Baby- M C Josephine Christian axis working against Vijayan.
The Thiruvathirakali song/dance performed in the run up to the State Conference of the CPI(M) is being seen as the handiwork of this triad. Vijayan was tauntingly described as Karana Bhoothan (one who is the reason for the entire universe) in the song.
It is the Islamic forces that call the shots in the CPI(M) as on date. Prof Luttappi is known by another moniker-Walking Encyclopaedia.
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