The ongoing political rivalry between Rahul Gandhi and Pinarayi Vijayan reached a fever pitch in Kerala, with the chief minister taking a swipe at the Congress leader during his campaign in Kozhikode. Vijayan asserted that Left leaders are unafraid of imprisonment, citing Indira Gandhi’s incarceration of Left leaders for over a year during her tenure. This fiery exchange underscores the longstanding animosity between the two leaders, despite their alliance within the INDIA bloc.
The mention of Ashok Chavan, a former Congress leader who recently joined the BJP, adds another layer to the feud. Rahul Gandhi’s previous remarks about a senior leader from Maharashtra expressing reluctance to face jail were perceived as directed towards Chavan, who vehemently denied the allegations. This incident further fueled tensions between Gandhi and Vijayan.
The spat between Vijayan and Rahul Gandhi intensified in the lead-up to the election, sparked by Vijayan’s criticism of Gandhi’s silence on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act and his candidature from Wayanad. Gandhi retaliated by questioning why investigative agencies have not targeted Vijayan despite allegations against him, prompting Vijayan to retaliate with references to Indira Gandhi’s actions during the Emergency.
In response, Rahul Gandhi questioned the lack of scrutiny faced by Vijayan from agencies like the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He expressed bewilderment at the Kerala CM’s focus on attacking him instead of addressing his governance. This exchange highlights the escalating tensions between the Congress and the Left in Kerala, setting the stage for a contentious electoral battle.
