Rahul Gandhi on Saturday launched a strong attack on the Left Democratic Front government in Kerala, alleging a covert alignment with the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh.
Addressing a rally in Alappuzha, Gandhi said the Left Front had drifted from its ideological roots. “There is nothing ‘Left’ about the Left Front anymore,” he remarked, adding that the alliance no longer reflects the values it once stood for.
‘Hidden hand’ allegation
The Congress leader suggested that discontent was growing within the LDF, with some leaders and workers uneasy about the shift in its political direction.
He alleged the presence of a “hidden force” influencing the alliance—one he described as communal and divisive. According to Gandhi, this influence points to an underlying understanding between the Left Front and the BJP-RSS ecosystem.
Questions over BJP’s approach
Gandhi also questioned why Prime Minister Narendra Modi does not directly target Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in his speeches in Kerala, while frequently attacking the Congress.
He argued that the BJP focuses its criticism on the Congress because it sees the party as its primary challenger, while the LDF does not pose a similar national threat.
‘Arrogance of power’
The Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha further accused both Modi and Vijayan of becoming “arrogant” after long stints in power, claiming this had weakened their connection with the public.
“When leaders begin to believe that power comes from them, they stop listening to people,” Gandhi said, adding that this disconnect ultimately alienates voters.
Election backdrop
Gandhi’s remarks come as campaigning intensifies ahead of the Assembly elections in Kerala, scheduled for April 9. The contest is expected to see a direct fight between the ruling LDF and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), with the BJP also seeking to expand its presence in the state.
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