Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday termed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan “arrogant”, alleging that they have a mindset of ruling over people rather than working with them.
Addressing an election rally at Mala ahead of the April 9 Assembly polls, Gandhi said the contest in Kerala was between the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF), which he alleged was being indirectly supported by the BJP.
“There is a hidden hand helping the LDF against the UDF,” he said, adding that even CPI(M) workers would admit that the government was not functioning as a true Left administration.
Gandhi further claimed that some Left leaders were contesting the elections with UDF support, calling it an unprecedented development in the state’s political history.
Targeting the BJP, he alleged that the party sees the Congress and UDF as its principal challenge and that the LDF has a tacit understanding with it. “PM Modi speaks about religion elsewhere, but in Kerala he does not speak about the Sabarimala gold loss involving CPI(M) leaders,” he said.
Also read: Rahul’s aggressive assault on last remaining left bastion
The Congress leader also criticised the LDF’s “Who Else” campaign featuring the Chief Minister, calling it “the height of arrogance”. “The chief minister is not a God that he alone can rule Kerala. There are thousands of talented people in the state,” he said.
“This is the precise arrogant mindset that we are fighting. It is the same mindset that Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Himanta Biswa Sarma have — the idea that they are here to rule the people,” Gandhi said, adding that leadership should be rooted in humility and partnership with citizens.
He alleged that leaders who oppose the BJP are targeted, while the Kerala Chief Minister and his family face no such scrutiny, suggesting a “partnership”. He further claimed that corruption could leave leaders vulnerable to political pressure.
Gandhi also flagged global concerns, warning that conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia could impact fuel prices and fertiliser availability in India.
Outlining the UDF’s promises, he said the alliance has proposed five guarantees, including free travel for women in KSRTC buses, ₹1,000 monthly assistance for college-going girls, enhanced pensions, expanded health insurance, and interest-free loans for youth.
Follow us
