Veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader and former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday (June 13), criticizing the latter for his political approach which he claims does not work in favor of the All India alliance and instead ends up strengthening rival BJP forces.
These statements come amid major political tension between the two leaders over Rahul’s alleged comment that he would not hug Vijayan due to political differences between the couple.
Also read: Regional parties should rejoin Congress, accept Rahul Gandhi as leader: Ashok Gehlot
Pinarayi Vijayan speaks
The row first erupted after Rahul’s alleged statement at an All India Caucus meeting where he objected to hugging the former Kerala chief minister due to their political rivalry in the state.
In response, Vijayan joked: “But we have all seen the picture of Rahul Gandhi hugging Narendra Modi.” “My objection is not to Modi hugging himself. Rather, his statements represent a certain political message. They reflect Rahul Gandhi’s approach and how he views India’s alliance.”
Vijayan also showed his disapproval with Rahul and the Congress’ management of the India alliance.
Also read: I am forming a ‘resistance’: Rahul for the India bloc
“It is not just us, but also leaders like Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, along with other major parties outside the Congress, who raised objections during the meeting and spoke against the Congress’ stand,” he added.
“The current situation has been created because of the Congress party’s approach, especially Rahul Gandhi’s approach. The fact is that this approach does not strengthen the Indian alliance. As I said before, it often ends up helping the BJP. By such actions, Rahul Gandhi creates a situation where he effectively becomes a facilitator of the BJP’s interests,” he said.
CPI(M) adds to the hype
Rahul’s ‘hug’ comment drew reactions from other CPI(M) leaders as well as party general secretary MA Baby who wrote to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge terming Rahul’s comments as going against the spirit of cooperation within the opposition alliance.
“A hug is not something that can be forced, but rather a gesture of affection and goodwill that comes naturally,” Pepe noted.
Bibi then cited previous cases involving Aam Aadmi Party leader Arvind Kejriwal and new online portal NewsClick as examples of acquitted cases that did not receive any verbal support from Rahul.
Also Read I CPI(M) attacks Rahul Gandhi over his remarks on Vijayan: ‘Stop being a facilitator of the economy, Modi govt’
Rajya Sabha MP and CPI(M) for the India Caucus meeting, John Prithas, also commented on the situation by requesting that Rahul’s comments be viewed in the larger light for full discussion.
He added, “Rahul’s statements contain contradictions. While he called for ending differences and strengthening unity among the opposition parties, he stressed at the same time that the political battle against the Left in Kerala will continue.”
Referring to the repeated allegations about the Communist Party of India’s alliance with the BJP, Prithas added: “If an alliance member is accused of having an arrangement with the BJP, it weakens the bloc itself.”
