Senior CPI(M) leader M A Baby on Tuesday hit back at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his jibe at Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, accusing the latter of being a "facilitator" of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Modi government. Baby termed the remark as "unfortunate" and "baseless," asserting that Vijayan has been a staunch opponent of the BJP-led central government's policies.
Rahul Gandhi's Allegation
Rahul Gandhi, during a recent rally in Kerala, had alleged that Pinarayi Vijayan was acting as a facilitator for the ED and the Modi government, implying that the Kerala CM was not taking a strong stand against central agencies. The Congress leader's comments came amid ongoing political tensions in the state, with the opposition accusing the Vijayan government of corruption and mismanagement.
M A Baby's Rebuttal
Reacting sharply, M A Baby said that Rahul Gandhi's statement reflects a lack of understanding of the political situation in Kerala. "Pinarayi Vijayan has always stood firmly against the Modi government's attempts to undermine federalism and democratic institutions. To call him a facilitator of the ED is an insult to the millions of people who have supported his leadership," Baby stated.
He further accused Rahul Gandhi of playing into the hands of the BJP by targeting a fellow opposition leader. "Instead of attacking the Modi government's misuse of central agencies, Rahul Gandhi is targeting a Chief Minister who has consistently opposed the BJP. This only helps the BJP's agenda," Baby added.
Political Context
The exchange highlights the growing friction between the Congress and the CPI(M) in Kerala, where both parties are part of the opposition INDIA bloc at the national level but are rivals in the state. The CPI(M) has often criticized the Congress for not taking a strong stand against the BJP, while the Congress has accused the CPI(M) of being soft on the Modi government.
M A Baby's response underscores the CPI(M)'s stance that Vijayan's government has been a target of the ED and other central agencies due to its opposition to the BJP. The party maintains that the ED's actions are politically motivated and aimed at destabilizing non-BJP governments.
Reactions from Political Circles
Political analysts view this as a sign of the deepening divide within the opposition camp. While both parties are united in their opposition to the BJP at the national level, their state-level rivalries often lead to public spats. The CPI(M) has called for unity among opposition parties but insists that the Congress must also take a firm stand against the Modi government's actions.
The Congress, on the other hand, has accused the CPI(M) of compromising with the BJP on several issues, including the recent presidential election. Rahul Gandhi's jibe is seen as an attempt to highlight what the Congress perceives as the CPI(M)'s inconsistent opposition to the BJP.
Conclusion
M A Baby's sharp rebuttal indicates that the CPI(M) is not willing to let Rahul Gandhi's remarks go unchallenged. As the political battle intensifies in Kerala, both parties are likely to continue their war of words, which could impact the unity of the opposition INDIA bloc. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether these differences can be resolved or will further widen.
