Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan criticized Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for choosing to contest the Wayanad Lok Sabha seat in Kerala, where he is facing off against Annie Raja of the CPI, a party aligned with the INDIA bloc. Vijayan argued that Gandhi's decision to contest against the Left Democratic Front (LDF), of which the CPI is a part, instead of directly challenging the BJP-led Centre, was questionable.
Vijayan emphasized that the INDIA bloc was formed to prevent the BJP from returning to power for a third consecutive term. He questioned Gandhi's motives in contesting against the LDF in Kerala, rather than directly confronting the BJP at the national level.
The Chief Minister further criticized Gandhi's choice to contest against Annie Raja, highlighting her role as a national leader of the CPI and her efforts in addressing issues such as crimes against women in Manipur. Vijayan questioned Gandhi's absence during such critical moments and suggested that Gandhi's decision to contest in Kerala rather than taking on the BJP directly raised concerns.
Vijayan also took aim at the Congress for what he perceived as inconsistency in its stance, particularly regarding the arrest of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. He accused the Congress of changing its position on Kejriwal's arrest and emphasized the importance of maintaining a consistent and principled stance against the BJP-led Centre.
In his remarks, Vijayan underscored the need for political parties to prioritize the interests of the country and stand united against the BJP's targeting of opposition parties. He criticized instances where leaders succumbed to pressure and suggested that such actions were unacceptable.
Overall, Vijayan's comments reflect the tensions and complexities within the opposition landscape in Kerala and the broader national political context, particularly in the run-up to the Lok Sabha elections.
