CPM has become an extreme right-wing force in Kerala, alleges Rahul Gandhi

Launching a blistering attack on the CPM, senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said the Left party has shifted away from its traditional ideology to become an “extreme right-wing force” in Kerala.

Addressing an election rally in Kannur ahead of the April 9 Kerala assembly polls, Rahul Gandhi said the CPM is no longer a Left party but an extreme right-wing party as it has abandoned its roots as a party of the people. He described both the CPM and BJP as “corporate parties”. “In fact, the CPM is partnering with the BJP because both of them are corporate parties. The CPM is no longer a party of the people. People with Left-leaning support the Congress, and the party is supporting them,” he said.

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He said that the presence of two former Left leaders from Kannur as UDF candidates proves that the CPM has become a non-Left party.

He was referring to former CPM leaders — V Kunhikrishnan and T K Govindan — who are contesting in Payyannur and Taliparamba, respectively as independents with the support of the UDF. Both of them were present on the stage.

He claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi “controls” Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, alleging that the Centre is shielding the CM from investigation in exchange for political cooperation. “Prime Minister Modi controls the Kerala Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, by holding the “keys” to jail over unresolved investigations,” he alleged

Rahul further said that the BJP wants the LDF to win the assembly elections to keep the UDF out of power. While PM Modi often speaks about temples and religion, he conveniently forgot to mention Sabarimala and the issues surrounding the Lord Ayyappa temple during his Kerala visit. “Those who claim to be the protectors of Hindus do not say anything about Sabarimala gold theft when they come to Kerala. This is proof of the BJP’s support to the Chief Minister and the CPM,” he said.

Later in the afternoon, addressing a rally in Perambra, Rahul Gandhi said Modi is controlling Pinarayi Vijayan just like Trump is controlling Modi and that Pinarayi Vijayan will lie down if Modi tells him to lie down. “The UDF is facing the LDF that supports Narendra Modi. The UDF is the only one that can challenge Modi in Kerala. The BJP-led government has filed 36 cases against me. The cases were filed because I oppose them, I oppose their policies,” he added.

He alleged that PM Modi has opened India’s agriculture and energy sectors to America. “If India wants to buy oil from other countries, America must give permission. He is destroying India’s pride. This subservience is due to the fear of the Epstein file,” Rahul contended.