Kerala Assembly polls: M.A. Baby launches sharp attack on Congress, defends LDF’s record

CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby launched a scathing attack on the Congress, accusing it of hypocrisy and double standards, while strongly defending the Left’s record and ideological position.

Addressing a ‘Meet the Press’ programme at the Thrissur Press Club, he said the Congress had no moral ground to allege political deals. “If Goebbels [Nazi propaganda minister] were alive, he would have become a disciple of Congress leaders,” he said, alleging that the party was resorting to false propaganda.

Recalling history, Mr. Baby said the Congress had earlier aligned with the Jan Sangh against leaders like E.M.S. Namboodiripad and A.K. Gopalan, and was now accusing Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of striking deals. “This is sheer hypocrisy,” he said.

He stressed that election campaigns must maintain political dignity, while questioning the Congress over funds allegedly collected in Wayanad. “Where is the account? Answers are missing,” he said, adding that the CPI(M) had already made its accounts public.

Taking a swipe at the Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan, he said, “As many houses as one wants can be built through speeches,” in a jibe at claims over rehabilitation efforts.

‘INDIA bloc’s understanding violated’

On national politics, Mr.. Baby said the CPI(M) had made sincere efforts to keep the INDIA bloc united. “There was an understanding to avoid mutual attacks where contests are direct, and not to give the BJP an advantage. The Congress has violated this,” he alleged.

Referring to central agencies, he said despite “fabricated cases,” the Enforcement Directorate could not question Pinarayi Vijayan. Unfortunately Rahul Gandhi was questioned. “Those who can read political trends will understand what happened to Congress votes when the BJP won,” he said.

On the proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA), he said they were stalled due to Opposition protests, accusing the BJP of pursuing “anti-democratic” policies targeting various sections of society.

Highlighting the Left’s governance, Mr. Baby said Kerala remained the only State without communal violence in the last decade. “Unlike Congress and the BJP, the Left does not frame policies based on votes,” he said.

He added that poverty eradication had been a core agenda of the Left, unlike the Congress or the BJP. “After Indira Gandhi’s “Garibi Hatao,” it was only the Left that made poverty eradication a sustained political agenda. Despite decades in power, neither could eliminate poverty,” he said.

On internal party matters, Mr. Baby said issues related to leaders who left the party to contest elections would be discussed after the polls, asserting that such trends were not as common in the CPI(M) as they were in the Congress.