Thiruvananthapuram: Former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has alleged that Rahul Gandhi’s approach is not strengthening the INDIA alliance and is instead indirectly helping the BJP.
The remarks come amid continuing political friction between the CPI(M) and the Congress. While both parties are part of the INDIA bloc in Parliament, they remain rivals in Kerala’s state politics.
Reports had suggested Rahul Gandhi said he would not hug Vijayan at an INDIA alliance consultation meeting. Responding, Vijayan said he was not concerned about who hugs whom, and noted that people had already seen photographs of Rahul hugging Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Vijayan said Rahul’s statements convey how he views and engages with the INDIA alliance. He added that not only he, but also leaders such as Akhilesh Yadav and Tejashwi Yadav, along with other non-Congress leaders, had criticised the Congress’ conduct at the meeting.
Claiming that the current Congress approach was shaped by Rahul, Vijayan said it would not strengthen the alliance and would instead benefit the BJP, alleging that Rahul was effectively working in a manner that serves BJP interests.
