Kollam, March 26 Congress leader V D Satheesan alleged on Thursday that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is targeting Rahul Gandhi in order to gain the favor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.
He was responding to Vijayan's allegation that Gandhi and the Congress are a "B-team" of the BJP.
"They are blackmailing him (the Chief Minister) to win seats here. To ensure the victory of Suresh Gopi in Thrissur, he was using the ED in the Karuvannur Service Cooperative Bank case during the 2024 Lok Sabha elections," Satheesan alleged.
He further claimed that Vijayan is bowing before BJP leaders and would "sign any document they demand".
"He even misled his own Cabinet by signing the PM SHRI scheme without informing the ministers," he said.
Satheesan stated that the entire country is aware that Rahul Gandhi is leading a relentless fight against what he terms a "fascist, autocratic, and communal" Narendra Modi government.
"I want to ask Vijayan whether the 55-hour questioning of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi by the ED was part of any deal. You may gain their favor and get out of legal troubles, but such accusations against Rahul Gandhi should not be made," he said.
He also alleged that the investigation into the Sabarimala gold loss case is not progressing due to pressure from the Chief Minister's Office on the Special Investigation Team (SIT).
He said that all those arrested in the case have been released on statutory bail and are allegedly tampering with evidence.
"What surprises us most is that no action has been taken by the CPI(M) against its top leaders who were arrested in the case. One such leader continues to be a member of the party's district committee. This is because there is a fear that they may reveal the involvement of ministers and former ministers," he alleged.
He alleged that the Chief Minister and the CPI(M) had aided those accused in the alleged loss of gold from temple artifacts, and that this issue would be raised during the election campaign.
On the issue of women of menstruating age entering the Sabarimala temple, Satheesan said that the CPI(M) government has not taken a clear stand before the Supreme Court through its affidavit.
Referring to the government affidavit, he said that it suggests that the court should take a stand after consulting experts.
"Was the attempt to facilitate the entry of women into Sabarimala in 2018 done after consulting experts?" he asked.
He welcomed the reports that the Vigilance submitted an affidavit before the Kerala High Court, stating that there was no evidence to register a case over alleged irregularities in the construction of the Sabarimala gold flag mast when UDF members were part of the Devaswom Board.
He said that the construction was carried out in the presence of a court-appointed Advocate Commissioner, who submitted a report to the High Court, which appreciated the board for following due procedures.