Malappuram: The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leadership has distanced itself from party Kerala general secretary PMA Salam’s derogatory remarks against Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Disowning Salam’s comment, IUML president Panakkad Sayyid Sadik Ali Shihab Thangal told the media that party members should refrain from making personal insults.

“Opposition can point out the drawbacks of the government. Healthy political criticism should not be avoided. But criticism should never turn into personal attacks — that is not IUML’s policy. Each member should be careful with their words,” Thangal said.

Meanwhile, senior IUML national general secretary and Lok Sabha MP PK Kunhalikutty came to Salam’s defence, describing the remark as a “slip of the tongue.”

“Everyone can make such slips. The party president will resolve the issues. Muslim League members are always careful with their words,” Kunhalikutty said.

Salam came under fire after he made a derogatory remark against Chief Minister Vijayan while speaking at a women’s conference of the party in Vazhakkad panchayat on Saturday. 

Criticising the government for signing the MoU under the PM SHRI scheme, PMA Salam insulted Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan by calling him “Aanum Pennum Kettavan.” The derogatory remark sparked widespread outrage. The CPM Malappuram district committee condemned the comment as “uncultured,” while Minister PA Mohammed Riyas and other CPM leaders demanded a clarification from the IUML leadership.