CPM Asks Rahul Gandhi To Contest Lok Sabha Election Where BJP Is Strong, Not In Wayanad Against INDI Alliance Party

In the wake of a massive loss for the Congress to the BJP in the state assembly elections, the issue of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's competition against the Left front in the Wayanad constituency has been revisited by the CPM leadership in Kerala, New Indian Express reported.

During a Monday (4 December) press conference, MV Govindan, the party-state secretary and politburo member, expressed criticism towards the Congress's decision. He asserted that any sensible politician would understand that Rahul Gandhi should not be a candidate from Kerala in the forthcoming parliamentary election.

"In Kerala, the BJP is non-existent. Instead of competing against the LDF, Rahul should be challenging the BJP. If he chooses to compete against the LDF, it conveys that the Congress' primary competitor is not the BJP, but the Left parties. It would be more strategic for Rahul to run from areas where the BJP has a strong presence," he stated.

In the 2019 parliamentary election, Rahul Gandhi, the incumbent Member of Parliament from Wayanad, emerged victorious over the CPI candidate with a lead of 4.31 lakh votes.

In 2019, the UDF achieved a sweeping victory in Kerala, securing 19 of the 20 parliamentary seats amid a wave of support for Rahul. Rahul's decision to run for office in Wayanad caught the attention of the political sphere, especially after AICC general secretary Tariq Anwar announced to the press that the Congress leader would be contesting from Wayanad.

Govindan stated that the Congress party's existence in Kerala is dependent on the support of the Muslim League. He questioned whether Rahul Gandhi could have run for office in Wayanad without the League's backing.

He further pointed out that Gandhi is competing against the CPI, a part of the INDI Alliance, in Kerala because the Congress party was unsuccessful in Uttar Pradesh. He emphasised that the Congress lacks influence in the Hindi heartland states, a fact underscored by recent election results. Govindan concluded by highlighting that the Congress is now in a position where it cannot even lead the INDI Alliance.

The leader of the CPM clarified their stance, stating that instead of creating a national political front, the opposition should treat each state as an individual unit. They should assess the strengths and weaknesses of each state's parties and align with those who have the capacity to challenge the BJP.

He also highlighted the Congress's failure to foster unity in the INDI Alliance, pointing out that in Rajasthan, the Congress inadvertently hindered the CPM's opportunity to triumph over the BJP in the Bhadra constituency.

Govindan rejected the accusation that the CPM was attempting to court the Muslim League. He clarified that it was not part of the CPM's agenda to incorporate the League into the LDF. He added that they had been collaborating with parties that shared similar views on national and international issues.