Kerala: Pinarayi Vijayan betrayed LDF, there will not be Left after elections, says Rahul Gandhi

Kochi: AICC leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday said after the April 9 assembly polls there would be nothing left of the CPI(M)-led Left front, predicting the erosion in the ranks of a key INDI bloc ally.

“The LDF calls itself “Left.” But today, there is nothing Left about the Left Front. And after this election, there will be nothing left of the Left Front,” the AICC leader said, addressing rallies in Ernakulam and Alappuzha districts.

He called chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan a “right-wing” puppet, seeking to reinforce his charge that the ruling LDF and the BJP have entered a cosy relationship. Vijayan, he said, was in partnership with the very people spreading hatred across India, and a hidden hand is running his government. “He has betrayed his own cadre, his party, and the people of Kerala.”


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PM Narendra Modi controls the Kerala CM like US president Donald Trump controls Modi, Gandhi said, seeking to insist that both LDF and BJP are together ahead of the April 9 assembly polls. “This election is between the BJP and the LDF on one side and the UDF on the other. They support each other, have money on their side, and hold power at both the Centre and the state,” Gandhi said, speaking at Fort Kochi.

The Congress, on the other hand, was deeply connected with the people, and will form the next government in the state. “You have two MPs, my sister and myself. Whatever you need, wherever you need it, I am always available for you. I am your soldier in Delhi,” the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha said.

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Gandhi, reflecting on his long years in politics, said when someone stayed in power for long, be it a panchayat member, MLA, CM or even PM, it would create deep confusion. “When a leader believes power comes from the people, they remain humble, respectful and see every citizen as a partner. However, when they start believing that power comes from them, arrogance sets in… Gradually, the connection between the leader and the people breaks,” Gandhi said, insisting that this has what has happened to PM Modi and CM Vijayan.