Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi/Thiruvananthapuram, Jun 12: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has reignited political debate over the Congress-CPI(M) relationship after releasing the full text of a speech in which he underscored the party’s continued political battle against former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan despite both parties being part of the INDIA opposition alliance at the national level.
The remarks, now made public through a podcast, were delivered during a meeting of INDIA bloc leaders in New Delhi. In the speech, Rahul Gandhi argued that while opposition parties must remain united in their fight against the BJP nationally, regional political realities cannot be overlooked.
Referring to Kerala's political landscape, he said the Congress remains engaged in a direct and intense contest with the CPI(M), making it impossible to ignore state-level rivalries for the sake of national alliance politics.
Rahul stressed that as a national party with a presence across multiple states, the Congress must respond to local political circumstances and continue its electoral battles wherever they exist, even when those opponents are partners in a broader national coalition.
The comments have drawn attention because they appear to challenge a narrative frequently advanced by CPI(M) leaders in Kerala. Senior leaders of the Left party, including Pinarayi Vijayan, have repeatedly alleged that Rahul Gandhi had questioned why central investigative agencies were not acting against the Kerala leader.
The issue resurfaced recently after officials of the Enforcement Directorate questioned Vijayan's daughter in connection with the CMRL-Exalogic financial dealings case. Following the development, Vijayan reiterated claims that Rahul Gandhi had consistently raised questions about the absence of investigative action against him.
Over the years, CPI(M) leaders have often cited such allegations to suggest a tacit understanding between the Congress and the BJP at the national level, a charge that Congress leaders have consistently denied.
Rahul Gandhi's latest remarks present a contrasting picture, emphasising that the Congress has no intention of softening its political opposition to the CPI(M) in Kerala despite cooperating with the party within the INDIA alliance framework.
Political observers believe the disclosure could sharpen the ongoing war of words between the two parties in Kerala, with the Congress likely to use Rahul's comments to counter CPI(M)'s allegations regarding his stance towards Vijayan.
The episode once again highlights the complex dynamics within the INDIA alliance, where parties collaborate against the BJP nationally while continuing to compete fiercely against one another in several states.