Thiruvananthapuram | CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam on Sunday said that the ruling LDF has maintained a consistent stand that it does not want the votes of religious fanatics.

Responding to queries on whether there has been any shift in the Left Democratic Front's position regarding backing from the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) -- the political arm of the banned Popular Front of India -- Viswam asserted that there was no change in the front's ideological stance.

"Ideologically, there is no change in our stand. We respect all religions. We don't want the votes of religious fanatics, but we will accept the votes of all human beings," he told a television channel.

His remarks come amid a political row over the support extended by the SDPI to the LDF in certain constituencies, including Nemom, where the BJP is seen as a strong contender.

Viswam sought to draw a distinction between religion and fanaticism, stating that religious belief and extremism are fundamentally different. Despite repeated questions, he did not clearly mention whether the LDF would accept votes from the SDPI in the April 9 polls.

He also noted that the SDPI leadership had recently indicated it would not take any step that could benefit the BJP.

"When they say like that, we can't go and ask them to help the BJP," Viswam said, without directly addressing whether the Left would accept the organisation's support.

The CPI leader's comments come days after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed displeasure over repeated queries on SDPI support during a press conference.