Key Facts
CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby on Saturday (June 13, 2026) slammed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi at the INDIA bloc meeting, stating that the Leader of Opposition (LoP) has been urged only to stop being the 'facilitator for the ED and Modi government'. This comes after Rahul Gandhi's remark that he 'cannot hug' former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan due to an ongoing political fight.
Details of the Exchange
Speaking at the June 8 meeting of the INDIA bloc, Rahul Gandhi said, 'We have our fights, but if you're asking me to go and hug the ex-chief minister of Kerala, I cannot and I will not because I have an ongoing political fight with him.' He added, 'So we have to be flexible, and we have to realise that there is a full-scale assault on us trying to prove that the opposition is weak, is disorganised.'
Responding to these remarks, M.A. Baby posted on X: 'Nobody is asking Rahul Gandhi to hug Pinarayi Vijayan. On the contrary, all that we are asking is that he stop being a facilitator for the ED and the Modi government by demanding the arrest of Pinarayi Vijayan and other opposition leaders. That is not the job of the leader of the opposition.'
Background of the Dispute
The friction stems from allegations made by Congress leaders during the Kerala Assembly polls campaign, suggesting a tacit understanding between the then-ruling CPI(M) and the BJP. CPI(M) Rajya Sabha leader John Brittas raised these concerns at the INDIA bloc meeting, arguing that while the party could politically contest charges from Congress leaders, it was different when such remarks came from Rahul Gandhi, a principal face of the alliance.
Brittas questioned the purpose of alliance partners sitting together if one constituent publicly accused another of helping the ruling party. Ahead of the meeting, M.A. Baby also wrote to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, objecting to the allegations as inconsistent with the spirit of cooperation within the opposition alliance.
Impact on INDIA Bloc Unity
The public spat highlights ongoing tensions within the INDIA bloc, as partners navigate political rivalries while aiming to present a united front against the BJP. The exchange underscores the challenge of maintaining cohesion when state-level conflicts spill over into national alliance dynamics.
What Readers Should Know
- M.A. Baby's criticism focuses on Rahul Gandhi's demand for arrest of opposition leaders, which he claims aids the ED and Modi government.
- Rahul Gandhi's 'hug' remark was a response to Left leaders' objections over Congress's pre-poll allegations in Kerala.
- The CPI(M) has formally raised the issue with Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did M.A. Baby criticize Rahul Gandhi?
M.A. Baby said Rahul Gandhi should stop being a 'facilitator' for the ED and Modi government by demanding the arrest of Pinarayi Vijayan and other opposition leaders.
What was Rahul Gandhi's 'hug' remark?
Rahul Gandhi said he cannot hug former Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan because of an ongoing political fight, responding to Left leaders' objections.
What issue did John Brittas raise at the INDIA bloc meeting?
John Brittas raised concerns over Congress allegations during Kerala assembly polls of a tacit understanding between CPI(M) and BJP.
Source: www.thehindu.com