Key Facts
Thrissur, June 13: Communist Party of India (Marxist) general secretary M.A. Baby launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday, accusing him of double standards and indirectly facilitating the Enforcement Directorate's actions against opposition leaders. Speaking at an EMS memorial event in Thrissur, Baby responded to Gandhi's reported remark at an INDIA bloc meeting that he 'cannot hug' Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan due to political differences.
Baby's Accusations
Baby stated, 'Nobody is asking Mr. Gandhi to hug Mr. Vijayan. All that we are asking is that he stop being a facilitator for the Enforcement Directorate and the Modi government by demanding the arrest of Mr. Vijayan and other opposition leaders. That is not the job of the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha.' He further warned Gandhi against becoming a person who 'facilitates the hunting of opposition leaders by Central agencies on behalf of the Narendra Modi government.'
Taking a swipe at Gandhi's past gesture of hugging Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Parliament, Baby questioned, 'If he can embrace an RSS leader like Modi, how is it that he cannot do the same with Vijayan, citing political differences?'
Call for Restraint in INDIA Bloc
Baby emphasized the need for political dignity within the INDIA alliance, noting that constituent parties often compete against each other in various states. 'There are political norms and standards that should be upheld while making criticisms. Leaders at the national level should exercise restraint and maintain decorum,' he said, adding that criticism should not cross boundaries of mutual respect.
Rejecting allegations of any understanding between CPI(M) and BJP, Baby termed such claims as 'baseless' and asserted that no other party had fought the BJP as consistently as CPI(M).
Congress-DMK Alliance and TVK Warning
Referring to INDIA alliance dynamics, Baby pointed out that the Congress benefited from its partnership with the DMK in Tamil Nadu, securing five Lok Sabha seats and a Rajya Sabha seat. He cautioned against Congress's link with the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), warning against excessive hunger for power.
CPI Leader's Call for Introspection
Speaking at the same event, Communist Party of India (CPI) state secretary Binoy Viswam called for serious introspection following the Left's recent electoral setback in Kerala. 'Minority communities once saw communists as their protectors. They stood with us, but not anymore. We should examine why they moved away,' he said. Viswam urged corrective measures, stating, 'We should learn from this defeat. The bridge that has temporarily collapsed should be rebuilt. We lost because those who were once close to us voted differently.'
FAQ
Why did CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby criticize Rahul Gandhi?
Baby accused Gandhi of double standards and indirectly aiding the BJP-led government by demanding the arrest of opposition leaders like Pinarayi Vijayan, thereby facilitating ED actions.
What did M.A. Baby say about Rahul Gandhi hugging PM Modi?
Baby questioned why Gandhi could hug Modi, an RSS leader, in Parliament but refused to embrace Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan due to political differences.
What did CPI leader Binoy Viswam say about the Left's electoral defeat?
Viswam called for introspection, noting that minority communities no longer see communists as protectors, and urged rebuilding lost connections.