The tacit understanding between the CPI(M) and the Sunni faction headed by Mr Kanthapuram Aboobacker Musaliyar seems to be heading for trouble with Mr Musaliyar sharply rebuking party secretary Mr Pinaryai Vijayan on Monday.

Reacting to Mr Vijayan’s remark on the controversial holy hair, Mr Musaliyar said that political leaders should refrain from airing opinions on matters connected to religion as involvement of political leaders in religion could lead to communalism.

Mr Vijayan had ridiculed the recent controversy between the rival Sunni groups on the veracity of the Prophet’s holy hair on Sunday at Vadakara at a seminar organised as part of the forthcoming 20th congress of CPI(M). The AP faction had claiming to possess a strand of hair of Prophet Muhammad, while the rival EK faction has dismissed the claim as bogus.

The EK faction had also challenged their rivals to prove the authenticity of their claim by subjecting the hair to trial by fire. If the hair belonged to the Prophet it would not burn, they said.

The AP faction, however, refused to accept the challenge stating that such a test was unnecessary as they had impeccable evidence to show that it was original and authentic.

Alluding to the debate, Mr Vijayan on Sunday said that any hair would burn if placed in fire and pointed out the futility of such debates.

He added that such debates were signs of rise in superstition and obscurantist beliefs in the society.

The AP faction, often accused by others for their alleged proximity with the CPM, had made a strategic shift and warmed up to the IUML.