The fwar is raging in Gaza but its resonance is being felt in faraway Kerala,where the main players the Muslim League and CPI(M) are locked in a political duel to share the spoils. The cause of Palestine and the plight of its countrymen have always appealed to Keralites,especially the sizeable Muslim population in the state,and both the parties are now vying to sway the anti-Israeli sentiment among the masses in their favour. And in this political game,Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed is feeling the heat as the CPI(M) is asking the Muslim League to withdraw him from the ministry as its demand for snapping of Indias ties with Israel has not been met. Pushed to the corner,Ahamed is now taking the Palestinian Ambassador to Kerala to address a function at an institute run by the Kerala Muslim League chief in its bastion Malappuram on Sunday to score a point over the comrades. Although the function is to mark the 46th foundation day of Jamia Nooria Arabic College,the presence of Palestine Ambassador Osama Musa Ali Musa at a function associated with the Muslim League is aimed at sending across a clear political message. This comes at a time when the CPI(M) and its daily Deshabhimaani have been attacking the IUML,saying though it had adopted a resolution criticising the Governments stance on the Israeli aggression in Palestine,it was not ready to sever its links with the UPA or withdraw its minister from the Cabinet. Addressing a public meeting in Kochi on Friday,CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat also nudged the Muslim League to end the association with the UPA and withdraw Ahamed,who is in charge of the West Asia,if the Government does not break Indias diplomatic relations with Israel. Talking to The Sunday Express earlier,Ahamed had made light of the CPI(M) campaign saying while his party had taken a stand,he as a minister would follow the Government view that the Israeli attacks were condemnable and he would leave it at that. Having recognised the political mileage that may accrue for taking an anti-Israel stand,both the CPI(M) and the Muslim League have demanded that India should snap all ties with Israel. They have been organising functions in support of the Palestinian cause besides observing solidarity days.
