Wayanad bypolls | After LS poll rout, Kerala CM Pinarayi appeasing Hindus, says Priyanka
Priyanka also said the BJP was engaged in a deliberate effort to destroy Congress leader and her brother Rahul Gandhi’s political career and persona
Congress general secretary and Wayanad Lok Sabha candidate Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has accused Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan of trying to appease the Hindu community after the Left Democratic Front's rout in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
Priyanka separately told corner meetings in the constituency that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) was engaged in a deliberate effort to destroy Congress leader and her brother Rahul Gandhi’s political career and persona.
But what stod out was a frontal attack on Vijayan, with whose Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) the Congress is in alliance nationally.
Priyanka attacks Kerala CM
“During the general elections, Vijayan tried to appease the minorities by discussing the CAA issue. But after the setback from the minority community, he has now started to appease the majority community,” Priyanka told the media.
She was referring to Vijayan’s comparison of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) and the Jamaat-e-Islami or JeI. She added that the JeI has supported the CPI-M in the last five elections in the state.
Opinion | The appeasement question when Rahul campaigned in Wayanad in 2019
Priyanka on CPI-M and Jamaat
“For the last 30 years, CPI-M got the support of JeI. When Jamaat was with CPI-M, they were secular but after they left the CPI-M, all of a sudden became communal. This is sheer opportunism on the part of the CPI-M.” she said.
“All communities have started to leave CPI-M one after the other,” she added.
Later, Priyanka said Rahul had become the BJP’s favourite target because he opposes the ruling party’s divisive and capitalist agenda.
Why BJP targets Rahul
“While Rahul speaks of love and unity, Prime Minister Narendrda Modi talks of hatred and destruction.”
She claimed that the BJP’s consistent attacks on Rahul stemmed from his strong stance against the former’s communal politics.
Also read: Priyanka's open letter to Wayanad voters: 'Will be deeply grateful if you make me MP'
Priyanka emphasized that the love and support Rahul received as Wayanad’s MP gave him the strength to travel across India and reclaim the nation’s values and heritage.
BJP’s agenda of hatred
“The BJP spreads fear, hatred and division across communities while continuously attacking minorities in the country. Their policies are designed to benefit the prime minister’s friends, with no regard for the common people, farmers or tribal communities,” she said.
The Congress leader interacted with voters in Wayanad on Tuesday. Photo: The Federal
“Tribal lands are being handed over to big corporations, and farmers are being deceived with false promises of minimum support prices,” Priyanka said.
At the corner gatherings, Priyanka pointed out the hardships that locals face due to inadequate healthcare facilities. She said that Rahul as MP from the region did everything possible to address these challenges.
Priyanka praises Wayanad people
The Congress leader recounted her visit after the landslide disaster, noting how the people of Wayanad united to help each other, transcending caste and religious divisions.
Also read: Priyanka accuses BJP-led Centre of undermining Constitutional values
Taking a swipe at the Modi government, Priyanka accused it of dismantling the core values of the constitution.
Priyanka attacks Modi government
“The BJP is systematically eroding constitutional values. Their policies only serve the wealthy, with no empathy for ordinary people or farmers,” she said.
“Unemployment has reached alarming levels, leaving many young people with no future, despite their education. The atrocities in Manipur reveal the extent of the hatred they have spread across the country.”
Priyanka urged people to stand up for democracy, secularism and truth, calling for unity in the fight against divisive politics.
Also read: Who is Navya Haridas, Priyanka Gandhi's opponent in Wayanad bypoll?
“When everyone attacked my brother, Wayanad embraced him and gave him the strength to walk across the nation,” she remarked, adding that the people of Wayanad have empowered Rahul to continue his mission of upholding democracy and equality.
Priyanka is the Congress candidate in Wayanad after Rahul vacated the seat after getting elected to the Lok Sabha from Rae Bareli too.