In Kochi (Kerala), March 25, raising concerns about the gold theft at Sabarimala and the alleged drug problem among Kerala's youth, the Congress party intensified its campaign for the upcoming assembly elections on Wednesday, claiming that the LDF and the BJP are colluding to undermine the dominant party.
During an online event led by the Congress, Rahul Gandhi sharply criticized the LDF government, emphasizing the drug issue in Kerala as a major problem and blaming the ruling party for the state having the second-highest number of cases related to narcotics.
This view was supported by Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge, who participated in the event in person, as Rahul had to stay in Delhi due to his mother, Sonia Gandhi's, health.
Both Rahul and Kharge shared similar views regarding the alleged misappropriation of gold from Sabarimala, unemployment in the state, the state's healthcare system, and the alliance between the LDF and the BJP in Kerala.
In his online speech, Rahul stated that "tons of gold" were stolen from the Sabarimala temple, and CPI(M) leaders were arrested in connection with the theft.
He questioned, "How can a government that disrespects Lord Ayyappa also respect the people of Kerala?"
Kharge echoed this sentiment, questioning what can be expected from those who "disregarded God" and "stole gold from Sabarimala."
Rahul stated that neither the LDF nor the BJP believe they are accountable to the people, and both have the same policies and political agenda.
The Congress leader said that it was not he who was making these claims, but rather the Left leaders contesting against the LDF in the assembly elections.
He stated that there are only two parties actively competing in the Kerala elections – the UDF and the LDF-BJP partnership.
He further stated that opposition leaders across the country who fight against the BJP are "attacked, face legal cases, and are subjected to interrogation."
He claimed that he has been facing around 40 cases, and he has been interrogated for five consecutive days by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). He also stated that the BJP attacks him every second of every day.
"Why doesn't the BJP attack the Chief Minister of Kerala? Why are the corruption cases against him not progressing? This is the best evidence of the collusion between the BJP and the LDF," he alleged.
Kharge shared this view, alleging that there was a "secret alliance" between the CPI(M) and the BJP in Kerala, called the Communist-Janta Party (CJP).
He claimed that while the LDF claims to be secular, it is actually supporting the BJP's agenda.
He stated, "They are complicit with them. The true protectors of Kerala's secular fabric have always been, and will always be, the UDF. Today, this spirit is under threat from an LDF government and the BJP nexus that has ignored Malabar for ten years, and their politics that sees diversity as a problem to be solved," the Congress chief contended.
He said that the BJP-led NDA is fielding weak candidates in constituencies where they cannot win, in order to help the LDF.
He stated, "They are not trying to win; they are trying to help the LDF win. Every vote for the BJP is a vote that benefits the LDF. The people of Kerala need to understand this clearly. The only genuine vote for change is a vote for the UDF," Kharge contended.
Other similarities between the LDF and the BJP, which both Congress leaders highlighted, included the failure to fulfill their promises to create more jobs.
Speaking to young voters, Rahul stated that in Kerala, one in three young people is unemployed, while nepotism and backdoor appointments in government jobs under the LDF are replacing merit and competence – a view shared by Kharge as well.
Both Rahul and Kharge further claimed that the state's healthcare system is "crumbling," and thousands of businesses have been destroyed, all due to the 10-year rule of the LDF in Kerala.
Kharge alleged that despite having two full terms, the LDF has nothing to show except for a huge debt of Rs 6 lakh crore, making Kerala a drug capital of India and destroying a healthcare system that was once a global model.
They said that the UDF has a plan – the five Indira guarantees – to address these issues.
These guarantees include free travel for all women on Kerala state transport buses, a monthly allowance of Rs 1,000 for college-going female students, and an increase in welfare pensions to Rs 3,000 per month.
In addition, a health insurance scheme called Oommen Chandy, providing coverage of up to Rs 25 lakh for each family and interest-free loans of up to Rs 5 lakh for small businesses, were also promised by the Congress leaders.
"These five schemes are a commitment, and we will fulfill them. We do not believe in making empty promises. We have fulfilled our promises in Karnataka and Telangana," they said. Rahul stated that the April 9 assembly polls are about ensuring jobs and preserving the state's secular fabric.