Alappuzha (Kerala),: Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Saturday launched a strong political attack on both the ruling Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala and the BJP-led Union government, alleging a covert understanding between the Left and the BJP-RSS, while announcing a series of welfare promises under a prospective United Democratic Front (UDF) government.
Addressing a public meeting in Alappuzha, Gandhi welcomed party leaders, workers, and candidates, and highlighted the presence of a former Left leader on the stage as indicative of deeper ideological shifts within the LDF. He argued that while the Left had historically stood for certain principles, it had now drifted away from them. “There is nothing left about the Left Front today,” he said, alleging that a “communal hidden hand” was influencing the state government.
Gandhi accused sections of the Left leadership of prioritising power over ideology, while noting that many grassroots workers felt “betrayed and disillusioned” by recent developments. According to him, this shift has led to a growing perception that the LDF is no longer independent of the BJP and RSS.
In a direct attack on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi questioned why the Prime Minister does not criticise the Kerala Chief Minister with the same intensity he directs at the Congress and the UDF. He also referred to the alleged theft of gold from the Sabarimala Temple, claiming that the Prime Minister remained silent on the issue despite frequently invoking religion in his speeches.
The Congress leader further argued that prolonged tenure in power often leads to a disconnect between leaders and the people. He said both Modi and the Kerala Chief Minister have fallen into what he described as a pattern where leaders begin to believe that power emanates from themselves rather than from the people. “When that happens, the relationship between the people and the leader breaks down,” he said.
Highlighting governance concerns in Kerala, Gandhi alleged that the state was facing serious challenges, including rising drug abuse, agrarian distress, and unemployment. He claimed that a majority of paddy farmers were in debt and that traditional industries such as coir had declined, leaving thousands jobless.
On national issues, Gandhi criticised the Centre’s economic and foreign policies, particularly alleging that India’s agricultural and energy sectors were being compromised in international agreements. He also made controversial claims regarding the influence of former U.S. President Donald Trump on the Indian government, suggesting that external pressures were shaping key policy decisions.
Turning to the upcoming elections, Gandhi announced a set of five key promises that the UDF would implement if voted to power in Kerala. These include free bus travel for women, a monthly stipend of ₹1,000 for female students, and enhanced welfare measures for senior citizens, including a pension of ₹3,000 and a dedicated ministry for their welfare.
He also unveiled a comprehensive healthcare initiative named in memory of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, promising health insurance coverage of up to ₹25 lakh for every family in the state.
Addressing local concerns in Alappuzha, Gandhi assured that a long-pending seawall project would be completed under a UDF government. He also pledged a minimum support price (MSP) of ₹35 for paddy and revival packages for the coir, cashew, and handloom sectors.
Concluding his speech, Gandhi thanked the gathering for their support and expressed confidence that the electorate would bring about political change in the state, describing the upcoming election as a “formality” reflecting what he termed a broken relationship between the current governments and the people.