Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has launched a sharp attack on Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of lacking even a basic understanding of politics. Addressing a press conference, the Chief Minister said that Rahul Gandhi does not possess “the knowledge of even a local worker,” responding to allegations of a supposed CPM–BJP deal.
Pinarayi Vijayan was reacting to Rahul Gandhi’s claim that the lack of action against the Chief Minister, despite central agencies filing cases and questioning him, indicated a political “adjustment.” Rejecting the allegation outright, Vijayan said such remarks reflected a deep lack of awareness and seriousness. “The reality is that Rahul Gandhi, despite being an all-India leader, does not even have the understanding expected of a grassroots worker. He fails to grasp issues directly and shows no inclination to learn. This is not a quality befitting a political leader,” Vijayan said.
He further remarked that it was difficult to understand how a leader regarded as controversial even within the Congress party had “deteriorated to this extent.”
Escalating his criticism, the Chief Minister alleged that Rahul Gandhi and the Congress were effectively functioning as the BJP’s “B team.” According to him, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach across the country appears to align with the BJP’s interests rather than opposing them.
The sharp exchange also underscores growing strains within the I.N.D.I Alliance, of which both the CPI(M) and the Congress are constituents at the national level. Despite their broader alignment against the BJP, relations between the two parties in Keralam have remained adversarial, with frequent political confrontations spilling into public discourse.
Satheesan’s ‘Vote Bank’ remark triggers controversy
Meanwhile, a separate controversy has erupted over remarks made by Congress Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan regarding “vote banks.” The statement was made during the inauguration of the UDF Kochi constituency election convention held in Thoppumpady on Monday. In his speech, Satheesan made an indirect reference to the Latin Church, suggesting that having a “vote bank” was sufficient if it could be retained. The comment quickly became a subject of intense debate across social media platforms and news channels.
As criticism mounted, Satheesan responded by taking a U-turn and insisting that he had not described the Latin Church as communal and that the Church had never engaged in communal politics. He accused sections of the media of selectively editing and misrepresenting his remarks.
However, the clarification did little to quell the controversy. Father Joshi, a prominent priest from the Kochi diocese, publicly criticised Satheesan’s statement. In a Facebook post, the priest remarked that “the ballot is not meant merely to be held in one’s hand,” a comment widely interpreted as a rebuttal to Satheesan’s remarks. The post drew significant engagement, with reactions both supporting and opposing the priest’s stance. Reports also indicate that Satheesan, along with MP Hibi Eden, visited the diocesan headquarters to engage with Church authorities amid an ongoing stalemate over candidate selection in the region. Observers have noted that Satheesan’s controversial remark came shortly after these discussions.
The issue has since gained traction within Christian social media groups, with several senior priests expressing concern. They argue that Satheesan’s statement suggests that securing the support of a particular community alone would suffice electorally. Critics further point out that even his subsequent clarification has failed to dispel apprehensions, instead contributing to a growing sense of unease among sections of the Christian community.
