Pinarayi Vijayan targeting Rahul Gandhi as part of a ‘deal’, alleges Sunny Joseph

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph has accused Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of repeatedly targeting Congress leader Rahul Gandhi as part of a “political deal” with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and alleged that the Chief Minister has avoided criticising Prime Minister Narendra Modi while focusing his attack on the Congress. 

Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Mr. Joseph said the Chief Minister’s criticism of Mr. Gandhi was baseless and politically motivated. He alleged that Mr. Vijayan was “hand in glove with the BJP” and questioned his silence on key issues involving the Centre.

Mr. Joseph further claimed that major cases such as the Lavlin case and the gold smuggling case had vanished from public discourse, suggesting a tacit understanding behind the scenes. “Rahul Gandhi has taken a firm stand against the wrong policies of the CPI(M) and that is why he is being targeted,” he added.

Referring to the developments in Palakkad, Mr. Joseph alleged a BJP-Left understanding and criticised the Chief Minister’s remarks on the stage, calling them an example of an authoritarian style of functioning. He said the people would respond to the CM’s “wrong approach” through the ballot. He also questioned whether the CPI(M) central leadership endorsed Mr. Vijayan’s stance.

Mr. Joseph also asserted that the Congress would not face a situation where it is pushed “outside the gate”, taking a swipe at the Chief Minister’s remarks against the party.

‘Strong candidate in Palakkad’

Highlighting electoral prospects, he said the United Democratic Front (UDF) had fielded a strong candidate in Palakkad, and claimed that Ramesh Pisharody enjoys wide public acceptance.

On party affairs, Mr. Joseph dismissed concerns over KPCC leadership, stating that there was no need for a mediator to facilitate interactions with K. Sudhakaran. He added that Mr. Sudhakaran would actively campaign across constituencies and that his involvement would help increase the UDF’s majority.

On internal party remarks, Mr. Joseph said Mr. Sudhakaran’s statement that Ramesh Chennithala is fit to be Chief Minister if the UDF comes to power was a personal opinion.