Congress Leader Venugopal Condemns Kerala CM's 'B-Team' Remark Against Rahul Gandhi
AICC general secretary K C Venugopal launched a scathing attack on Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Sunday for describing Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as the "B-team" of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). Venugopal dismissed the statement as "baseless and politically motivated", asserting that no one in the country would believe Gandhi is aligned with the BJP.
Venugopal Defends Gandhi's Political Resilience
Venugopal, who is also the MP from Alappuzha, emphasized that the people of Kerala clearly understand the reasons behind such remarks. He pointed out that despite facing disqualification from Parliament and multiple legal cases, Rahul Gandhi has continued to speak out against the Sangh Parivar without fear. "Gandhi's political track record demonstrates remarkable resilience," Venugopal stated, questioning whether the chief minister has ever faced comparable situations.
He argued that CM Vijayan's remarks only expose contradictions in the Communist Party of India (Marxist)'s political stance, especially as the CPM uses Gandhi's image during election campaigns in other states. "This hypocrisy is evident to all," Venugopal added.
Allegations of CPM-BJP Nexus in Kerala
In a significant escalation, Venugopal alleged a tacit understanding between the CPM and BJP in Kerala. He claimed that seat adjustments and mutual support arrangements between the two parties are aimed at weakening the United Democratic Front (UDF), the Congress-led coalition in the state. "Such an arrangement is unacceptable to the cadres of both parties," he declared, suggesting it undermines democratic principles.
Criticism of Government Policies and Appointments
Venugopal also criticized the Kerala government over several issues, including alleged backdoor appointments. He stated that even top-ranked candidates in the Public Service Commission (PSC) list are being denied jobs, while relatives and associates of those in power are favored. "The Congress is compiling detailed evidence of such appointments over the past decade to expose this corruption," he revealed.
Additionally, he referred to allegations surrounding deaths at the Thiruvananthapuram medical college hospital, accusing the government of attempting to suppress facts. "Transparency and accountability are severely lacking," Venugopal asserted.
Focus on Congress's Welfare Agenda and Upcoming Elections
Venugopal clarified that the upcoming election is not about projecting a chief ministerial candidate for the Congress but about ending what he termed a decade of "misgovernance" and bringing change in favor of the people. He highlighted the Congress's welfare agenda, expressing readiness for a public debate on the guarantees announced by Rahul Gandhi.
He cited the promise of free travel for women in public buses as a key measure that would increase ridership and revenue. "Similar schemes have proved successful in states where Congress is in power, demonstrating our commitment to inclusive development," Venugopal explained.
Venugopal Questions CPM's Internal Consistency
Drawing a comparison, Venugopal mentioned former minister G Sudhakaran, known for speaking his mind fearlessly and criticizing both the Congress and his own previous party, the CPM. "But earlier, CM Vijayan never termed such criticisms as 'cheap'," he noted, questioning why age and the two-term norm apply to Sudhakaran but not to the chief minister.
"Party workers themselves are now asking why these rules are selectively enforced. This clearly shows that Pinarayi Vijayan is not 'double strong' but 'double-faced'," Venugopal concluded, emphasizing the perceived inconsistencies within the CPM leadership.
