Daijiworld Media Network – Chennai
Chennai, Jun 16: The DMK has launched a sharp attack on its former ally Congress, accusing it of using “underhand tactics” against INDIA bloc partners in Assembly elections while seeking their support during Lok Sabha polls. The party also alleged that Congress, with the approval of Rahul Gandhi, had “backstabbed” the DMK in the recently concluded Tamil Nadu Assembly elections, resulting in the collapse of their long-standing alliance.
In an editorial published in its official mouthpiece Murasoli, the DMK mocked Rahul Gandhi’s recent appeal for opposition unity at an INDIA bloc meeting, saying his remarks reflected a delayed realisation of the damage caused to the alliance.
The editorial questioned whether Rahul Gandhi himself had not weakened opposition unity across various states and claimed that several INDIA bloc constituents, including the Left parties, the Samajwadi Party and the Rashtriya Janata Dal, had criticised his conduct.
Referring to discussions at the INDIA bloc meeting, Murasoli highlighted comments made by John Brittas regarding Rahul Gandhi’s campaign statements in Kerala. The editorial noted that Congress and the CPI(M) had traditionally contested against each other in Kerala and that no objections had been raised to such electoral rivalry.
However, it criticised Rahul Gandhi’s allegation during the campaign that there was a secret understanding between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, describing the charge as baseless.
According to the editorial, Brittas had accused Rahul Gandhi of making false claims and asserted that the Left did not require certification from Congress to prove its opposition to the BJP.
The DMK publication also referred to criticism from D Raja, who reportedly described Rahul Gandhi’s remark that “the Left is no longer the Left” as a sign of political immaturity.
The editorial further cited reactions from Akhilesh Yadav, who reportedly described the exit of the DMK and AAP from the INDIA bloc as a major setback. It claimed Akhilesh had called for a serious review of the alliance’s future direction.
Murasoli also referred to remarks attributed to Tejashwi Yadav, who allegedly raised concerns over Congress’ conduct in Bihar and questioned whether understandings existed between Congress and BJP leaders on certain issues.
The editorial criticised Rahul Gandhi’s reported statement that he could not “hug” Pinarayi Vijayan due to ongoing political differences. It contrasted the remark with his previous gesture of embracing Prime Minister Modi in Parliament and cited comments from CPI(M) leader M A Baby.
According to the article, Baby said no one had asked Rahul Gandhi to embrace Vijayan but instead urged him to stop acting in a manner that aided the Enforcement Directorate and the BJP by demanding action against opposition leaders.
Against the backdrop of Congress leaving the DMK-led alliance and joining the ruling TVK, Murasoli alleged that the Congress had betrayed the DMK while continuing to remain in alliance with it and claimed that the move had Rahul Gandhi’s backing.
The editorial also accused Congress of working against INDIA bloc partners in state elections while seeking their support in national elections. It claimed that leaders from the Samajwadi Party, RJD, the Nationalist Congress Party, the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi and others had expressed concern over the treatment meted out to the DMK.
Murasoli argued that anti-Congress sentiment had overshadowed anti-BJP sentiment during a meeting intended to strengthen opposition unity and blamed Rahul Gandhi’s “immaturity and lack of integrity” for the situation.
The editorial also reproduced portions of Rahul Gandhi’s speech at the INDIA bloc meeting, in which he reportedly said that opposition parties should not fall for BJP narratives that portray them as divided and asserted that he was “100 per cent sure” of the DMK’s commitment to defending the idea of India.
Rahul Gandhi also reportedly acknowledged political differences within the opposition while emphasising the need for flexibility in the face of what he described as a coordinated assault on opposition parties.
Using those remarks, the DMK renewed its criticism of Congress and Rahul Gandhi over opposition unity, campaign rhetoric in Kerala and the party’s handling of alliance partners within the INDIA bloc.