Kerala govt led by an invisible force, its policies not Leftist: Rahul Gandhi

ALAPPUZHA/IDUKKI: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday sharply hit out at LDF stating that Left didn't remain in the front's name and nothing would remain after the elections.

In his speech in Alappuzha, the opposition leader in Lok Sabha criticised chief minister for describing the brutal assault on Alappuzha candidate A D Thomas by his security personnel, as a ‘rescue operation'. Thomas had earlier shown a black flag at CM.

With G Sudhakaran, an independent supported by UDF in Ambalappuzha, being present on stage, Gandhi said, "A senior leader, who was part of LDF is sitting with us today. His change of mind was not sudden; it was due to fundamental changes in LDF. It is not opportunism. When one travels with a party for a long time, one absorbs many things from it. He quit because he saw things happening contrary to its principles."

"We have been fighting LDF for years. Earlier, they had some ideologies, which is why they were called Left. The current govt's policies are not leftist and it is led by an invisible force. It is communal and doesn't accept the Constitution. It spreads hatred among people," Gandhi alleged.

"The connection between CPM and RSS-BJP is now visible to people. Most Left leaders are aware of it. There are two types of Left leaders: the opportunistic and power-hungry and they aren't troubled by RSS-BJP connection. The second group consists of those who believed in and worked for Left ideologies for years. They feel betrayed and are uneasy," he said.

"When someone is in power for a long time, there is deep confusion. It happens to small leaders too. In a democracy, people provide leaders the opportunity to use power. However, at some point, some leaders feel that all power belongs to them. Those who recognise that power belongs to people will respect and acknowledge them. Such leaders will see all sections of people as their partners and speak to them," said Gandhi.

"Those who believe power comes from themselves will become intolerant and disconnected from people. This has happened to both Prime Minister and Chief minister here. People will recognise all these. Elections are just a formality for that," he added.

"When five or six women MPs stood up in Parliament, Prime Minister thought it was an attack on him. The brutal assault on those who showed a black flag to CM was due to the same mindset. CM didn't think it was just their dissent. These incidents reveal two people intoxicated by power," he said.

"Why do those in power become disconnected from people? Kerala ranks first in drug issues. Farmers are in debt. In the coir sector, 1.3 lakh people are unemployed. Minorities are being attacked. Two nuns were attacked in Chhattisgarh. Churches were attacked in Manipur. The CM here stands with the attackers," said Gandhi.

He said UDF govt would implement the seawall promise unfulfilled by LDF govt, provide a support price of Rs 35 for rice and implement special projects in the coir and cashew sectors.

Gandhi introduced UDF-supported candidates in Alappuzha district: Sudhakaran, M Liju, Thomas, Reji Cherian and K R Rajendraprasad to the audience.

DCC president B Babu Prasad presided over the meeting. KPCC vice-president A A Shukoor, Muslim League district president A M Naseer and UDF Alappuzha assembly constituency committee chairman R Unnikrishnan also spoke.

Gandhi and AICC general secretary K C Venugopal greeted the crowd. Before leaving the stage, Neerkunnam-native Amanil Kumar presented Gandhi a Neymeen (fish). As he was leaving, the crowd surrounded Gandhi, eager to shake hands and present him kanikonna flowers.

Slams Modi for calling Trump ‘sir'

Speaking at an election campaign meeting in Kattappana, Gandhi criticized Prime Minister Narendra Modi for addressing US President Donald Trump as ‘sir'. He alleged that the PM was under Trump's control.

"If Trump asks Modi to jump, he would jump and if asked to lie down, he would comply," said Gandhi. Even if instructed to act in Israel's favour, Modi would follow it without question, he said.

He said addressing Trump as ‘sir' was highly inappropriate and reflected a colonial mindset, as if India was still under British rule. "India is an independent nation and a Prime Minister should never address anyone as ‘sir', nor act on instructions from a foreign leader," he said.

Gandhi alleged that whenever Trump called, Modi responded what he should do. "When Modi calls, Kerala CM responds in a similar manner," he said.

He accused PM of weakening India's energy security and harming small businesses and the agricultural sector through trade agreements with the US. He also made corruption allegations against Kerala CM and his family.