CPM Leader Accuses Congress of Morphing into BJP After Electoral Wins
In a sharp critique, CPM state secretariat member M Swaraj asserted that the Congress party "becomes BJP" not when it loses elections, but precisely when it wins. Speaking at a news conference in Kochi on Tuesday, Swaraj elaborated on this provocative claim, pointing to numerous historical instances across India to support his argument.
Congress as a "Path to BJP" in Kerala
Swaraj emphasized that the BJP, which he said lacks the political capability to govern directly in Kerala, aims to achieve power through the Congress. He described Congress not merely as a party name but as a "path to BJP," suggesting a strategic alignment. "A social activist noted that if Congress loses elections, its members might join BJP. However, experience reveals that more Congress members have defected to BJP after winning than after losing," Swaraj stated, challenging conventional political narratives.
Historical Examples of Congress Defections to BJP
Swaraj provided a detailed list of cases where Congress legislators switched to the BJP following electoral successes:
- Goa (2019 and 2022): All Congress MLAs in Goa joined the BJP, with the 2022 shift occurring under the leadership of then-chief minister Digambar Kamat, who had Congress MLAs take an oath of allegiance before the switch.
- Arunachal Pradesh (2016): Forty-three Congress MLAs, led by Chief Minister Pema Khandu, defected to the BJP, altering the state's political landscape.
- Karnataka: Congress MLAs joined the BJP, contributing to the collapse of the H.D. Kumaraswamy government, showcasing how such moves can destabilize administrations.
- Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh: Former Uttarakhand chief minister Vijay Bahuguna and Congress MLAs, along with Jyotiraditya Scindia and 22 MLAs in Madhya Pradesh, respectively, became part of the BJP, reinforcing the pattern.
He added that currently, four BJP chief ministers are former Congress members, underscoring the fluidity between the parties.
Implications for Kerala and Broader Allegations
Swaraj warned that this trend could manifest in Kerala if Congress secures a victory there. He traced historical connections, alleging that since 1960, Congress members in Kerala have maintained open ties with the RSS, the ideological parent of the BJP. "Whether Congress wins or loses, it turns into BJP. This dynamic is evident and could be seen in Kerala if Congress wins," he remarked, linking local politics to national patterns.
Further, Swaraj accused Congress of compromising with all forms of communalism and acting as its protector. He claimed that wherever Congress has ruled, minorities have faced significant challenges, citing that nine out of ten major communal riots in India occurred under Congress rule. "Congress, which compromises with communalism, is also its protector," he alleged, painting the party as complicit in communal tensions.
Election Context and Final Remarks
As elections approach, Swaraj charged that Congress leaders are resurrecting failed allegations to mislead the public at the last minute. This tactic, he suggested, is part of a broader strategy to obscure the party's alleged transformation into BJP affiliates upon achieving power. His comments aim to sway voter perception by highlighting defections and historical ties, positioning CPM as a critic of both major national parties in the context of Kerala's political battleground.
