Kerala Assembly polls 2026: Rahul Gandhi alleges BJP-Left nexus, claims Pinarayi Vijayan held hostage by Centre

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi mounted a scathing attack on both the BJP-led Union government and the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala, alleging an “unholy nexus” between the two and accusing them of sharing an authoritarian, anti-people approach to governance.

Addressing a United Democratic Front (UDF) election rally at Fort Grounds here on Sunday afternoon, Mr. Gandhi described the political contest in Kerala as one between the UDF and a combined front led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

He argued that both leaders were driven by a similar conviction that they alone should govern, pointing to personality-centric campaigns and what he described as “arrogant” leadership styles. Referring to LDF’s “Who Else” publicity hoardings, Mr. Gandhi criticised the portrayal of a single leader as indispensable, likening it to the BJP’s national messaging.

Mr. Gandhi alleged that the LDF government had deviated from its ideological moorings and was instead pursuing “corporate-oriented policies”. He claimed that even Left workers would privately admit that the government was no longer guided by traditional Left principles.

Substantiating his allegation of a BJP-Left understanding, Mr. Gandhi questioned why central investigative agencies had taken no action against the Chief Minister or his family, while Opposition leaders, including himself, faced relentless scrutiny.

He pointed to his own experiences, like questioning by the Enforcement Directorate, loss of his official residence and Lok Sabha disqualification, saying that he was targeted because he posed the main political and ideological challenge to the BJP.

Mr. Gandhi further alleged that Mr. Modi avoided criticising the Kerala government despite raising religious issues elsewhere, including in the context of Sabarimala. According to him, this selective silence of the Prime Minister indicated political convenience.

He alleged that just as the Prime Minister and Home Minister use Mr. Vijayan’s alleged corruption to control him, Mr. Modi himself is constrained by US President Donald Trump. “Mr. Trump publicly threatens Mr. Modi and wields leverage through the Epstein files and Adani. Mr. Modi has given India’s infrastructure, ports and power projects to Adani, who funds the BJP and the Prime Minister,” he said.

Just like Mr. Trump controls Mr. Modi by securing compliance on key deals, the Prime Minister is controlling Mr. Vijayan. “The Kerala CM is effectively trapped in a partnership with the Centre,” he said.

Unemployment

Mr. Gandhi claimed that nearly one in three young people in Kerala were unemployed. He criticised the alleged favouritism in government job appointments.

Outlining the UDF’s welfare agenda, he promised free bus travel for women, a monthly allowance of Rs. 1,000 for female college students, a Rs. 3,000 pension for senior citizens and a comprehensive healthcare scheme offering insurance coverage of up to Rs. 25 lakh per family.

UDF district chairman Marakkar Marayamangalam presided over the rally. District convener P. Balagopal welcomed the gathering.

Congress national general secretary Deepa Dasmunshi, Shafi Parambil, MP, V.K. Sreekandan, MP, District Congress Committee president A. Thankappan, former MP V.S. Vijayaraghavan, senior leaders C. Chandran and C.P. Mohammed, UDF candidates Ramesh Pisharody (Palakkad), T.P. Shaji (Pattambi), P. Harigovindan (Shoranur), K.A. Thulasi (Kongad), N. Shamsudheen (Mannarkkad), A. Suresh (Malampuzha), Sumesh Achuthan (Chittur), K.C. Subramanian (Tharur) and K.N. Febin (Alathur) took part in the rally.