Brinda Karat blasts Congress, Rahul Gandhi

Senior Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] leader Brinda Karat launched a blistering attack on the United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Thrissur on Tuesday (March 31), accusing them of running “false campaigns” and attempting to divert attention from real issues, with her sharpest criticism reserved for Congress leader Rahul Gandhi.

Addressing a press conference here, she said the Opposition, especially the UDF, was acting out of “desperation”. “Much like Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Congress leaders are running lie-manufacturing units, spreading falsehoods to distract people,” she said.

Ridiculing the Congress’ “five guarantees”, Ms. Karat questioned Rahul Gandhi’s credibility. “Why doesn’t he examine the record of Congress-ruled States before making such promises?” she asked.

“Congress-led governments have betrayed people. In Telangana, ₹2,500 was promised to women. Two years have passed, and no one has received it. Where is the money promised for agricultural workers? You said anti-constitutional laws in Karnataka would be reversed. What happened? There have been multiple instances of communal violence in Karnataka in the past year. In Kerala, not even one,” she said. She added that Rahul Gandhi “should understand that people in Kerala are educated.”

Talking about his remarks on Sabarimala, Ms. Karat said he had “scored a self-goal. He asked who took Potti to Sabarimala. I ask, who introduced Potti to Sonia Gandhi?” she said.

Ms. Karat also dismissed allegations of an LDF-BJP understanding, turning the charge back on the Congress. “Quid pro quo is when Congress MPs and MLAs join the BJP, and when Congress votes shift to the BJP. In the last Lok Sabha elections, the Congress helped the BJP win Thrissur,” she alleged.

Maintaining that the LDF constructed a township for Wayanad rehabilitation despite the Centre’s non-cooperation, she accused the Congress of inaction. “How much money has the Congress collected for Wayanad? Where is it? Why hasn’t a single house been built? We don’t want Kerala to become an ATM for the Congress,” she said.

She asserted that the LDF’s fight was both political and ideological. “All forces that try to divert real issues, personalise campaigns, demean Kerala’s achievements, and weaken the democratic fight are our opponents,” she said.

Rejecting allegations of SDPI links, Ms. Karat said voters in Kerala were independent. “No one can dictate their vote. People from all communities are supporting the LDF. That is what troubles the UDF and the NDA,” she said. Responding to the Prime Minister’s “A team” remark, she quipped: “For Modi, ‘A’ stands for Adani, Ambani, and America.”

Ms. Karat also launched a strong attack on the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), calling them “draconian” and aimed at targeting minorities. She alleged that the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) receives large foreign funds without transparency. “Nobody knows how much money it gets. It is not even a registered organisation,” she said. “Mr. Modi is using his majority to target institutions held by Christians. This is blackmail—either align with us or risk losing your institutions,” she alleged.

Highlighting the LDF government’s record, Ms. Karat said its campaign was drawing a strong response across Kerala. “We are presenting 10 years of governance and an alternative development model. Even under economic constraints imposed by the Centre, Kerala has advanced in education, health, and infrastructure,” she said.

Calling Kerala “an oasis of communal harmony,” she said that the State had seen no major communal conflict in the past decade. “We are presenting both our achievements and our vision for Nava Keralam,” she added.

In her media address in Kochi on Monday (March 30), Ms. Karat said Congress, which made tall promises in Telangana and Karnataka, had failed to implement them. The Congress shall not come to Kerala with such offers as the LDF government has ensured a very robust social security framework, where education and health are getting government funds.

The Congress could not keep its word in Karnataka regarding the promise to repeal the anti-minority and anti-people laws that were brought in by the earlier regime. There were serious corruption charges against a Congress leader and an MP from Kerala regarding the sale of seats in the Assembly polls in Haryana and Telangana. “These are the people who are now coming to Kerala and talking about political probity. We are going to the elections on the basis of our work and not on the basis of charges,” she said.

Published – March 31, 2026 08:08 pm IST