Adoor, Kerala: Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi on Monday sharply attacked the ruling LDF, alleging it works in tandem with the BJP, while promising a series of welfare guarantees if the UDF comes to power.
Addressing a public meeting in Adoor despite the scorching heat, Rahul Gandhi welcomed the large gathering and thanked party workers and local leaders. He said the real battle in Kerala is between the UDF on one side and a combination of LDF and BJP on the other.
“There is a hidden hand of the BJP in Kerala’s politics,” he said, adding that the BJP fears the Congress as the only national force capable of challenging it. He claimed the LDF cannot confront the BJP nationally and any LDF government in Kerala would remain under BJP control if the latter is in power in Delhi.
Rahul Gandhi offered two key pieces of evidence for the alleged understanding between LDF and BJP. First, he pointed out that while genuine opponents of the BJP face cases, threats and attacks — citing his own 36 cases and 55 hours of interrogation — the LDF leadership faces no such pressure from the BJP despite corruption cases against them.
Second, he criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for remaining silent on the alleged theft of gold from the Sabarimala Ayyappa temple during his visit to Kerala on Sunday. “Modi talks about temples everywhere, but conveniently forgot what the Left leaders did at Sabarimala,” he said, accusing the Prime Minister of using religion only for votes and not genuinely caring about Hinduism or temples.
The Congress leader further alleged that the LDF has abandoned its Left ideology and become as corporatist as the BJP. He criticised the government for refusing compensation to rubber workers and the rubber industry, saying a true Left government would protect workers from market forces.
Rahul Gandhi also targeted Prime Minister Modi, claiming he is “compromised” by former US President Donald Trump through financial links involving Gautam Adani. He alleged a similar pattern of control operates between Modi and the Kerala Chief Minister.
Praising Kerala’s social harmony, he highlighted how people of different communities and religions live closely and support each other during crises, a spirit he said he witnessed in Wayanad. Pointing to a microphone marked “Made in China,” he questioned why Kerala’s youth lack local manufacturing and jobs, blaming policies that favour big corporates like Adani and Ambani over small businesses and agriculture.
Rahul Gandhi announced the UDF’s five guarantees:
- Free bus travel for all women in Kerala buses.
- ₹1,000 monthly assistance for every college-going girl.
- Welfare pension for senior citizens increased to ₹3,000 per month.
- ₹25 lakh health insurance cover per family under a new scheme.
- ₹5 lakh interest-free loan for youth to start businesses, plus a new ministry for senior citizens.
He also promised protection and compensation for rubber farmers and workers when market prices turn against them.
Rahul Gandhi urged the people to vote for UDF candidates Santhakumar Ji and Eby Kuriakose Ji. He thanked the crowd for braving the heat and appreciated Congress workers for their tireless door-to-door campaign.