In a statement, Sachin Pilot, the senior AICC observer for Kerala, asserted that the Congress party does not need to be lectured on nationalism, and reminded everyone of the role played by Indira Gandhi in dividing Pakistan in 1971. He also stated that the Congress is a secular party, and that the Constitution of India is the most sacrosanct document in which it believes.
Pilot responded to accusations by the ruling LDF and the BJP that the Congress is in alliance with the Jamaat-e-Islami, claiming that the Jamaat does not adhere to secular principles. He emphasized that the Congress has always sought votes in the name of development and work, drawing on its long history of the freedom struggle and of keeping the country together.
He also criticized the BJP, arguing that the party decides to give tickets in certain states by excluding some religions, and that this is not secularism. He stated that the Congress has remained consistent in its ideals and ideology, and that it will not compromise on its secular values.
Pilot's comments come as the Congress has been under attack from both the CPI(M) and the BJP, who accuse it of having an electoral understanding with the Jamaat-e-Islami, alleging that the link undermines the party's claim to secular credentials.
Regarding the Supreme Court's decision to review the Sabarimala women's entry verdict, Pilot said he did not wish to comment on the court's observations or judgments, but alleged that the state government's intentions in the alleged "gold theft case" from the hill shrine were not noble.
He also criticized the state government for not doing enough to assist the SIT in getting to the bottom of the case.
Pilot further alleged that there had been instances of corruption in Kannur district, where funds meant for a martyr's family were allegedly siphoned off by someone close to the ruling party. He claimed that a ruling party MLA had been named in connection with the allegations.
According to him, these incidents reflected the broader symptoms of corruption, nepotism and administrative mismanagement within the government.
Despite propaganda, advertisements and publicity, people had made up their minds that such governance needed to be voted out, the Congress leader said.
Responding to former Union Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar's controversial remarks that Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government will return to power in Kerala, Pilot said Aiyar was no longer part of the Congress, having been suspended earlier, and therefore there was no reason to comment on his personal opinion.
He also claimed that the people of Kerala had already decided to vote for the Congress-led UDF.
Responding to a question on candidate selection for the Assembly polls, Pilot said the party was united in backing the most winnable candidates and that the Congress continued its tradition of promoting younger leaders to positions of responsibility.
He said winnability, a clean image and broad acceptability would be the key factors in deciding candidates.
