The Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi addressing a Congress election meeting in Adoor, Kerala. Photo: Screengrab/@RahulGandhi
Rahul Gandhi slams Modi’s silence on Sabarimala row, alleges BJP-LDF link
Rahul claims a "hidden hand" protects LDF from central agencies while the UDF remains the only genuine ideological challenger to RSS-BJP combine
Pathanamthitta (Kerala), Mar 30 (PTI) Launching a sharp attack on Narendra Modi, senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday alleged that the Prime Minister remained silent on the Sabarimala issue during his Kerala visit, indicating that the BJP-LDF works together.
Addressing a Congress election meeting in Adoor, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, claimed that the party was facing a "combination" of CPI(M) and BJP in the April 9 Assembly elections.
"We are fighting an election against the LDF, which is fully supported by the BJP. On one side is the UDF and on the other is a CPI(M)-BJP combination," he said.
He alleged that there was a "hidden hand" of the BJP in Kerala, a concept often used by economists in the market.
"The BJP does not want the UDF here because they know the Congress is the only force challenging them nationally. We have an ideological fight with the BJP and the RSS," he said.
He further claimed that while opposition leaders face action by central agencies, no such pressure is being exerted on the LDF leadership in Kerala.
"I have faced 36 cases and interrogated for 55 hours continuously. But there is no such action against the Kerala chief minister or LDF leaders," he alleged.
Referring to Modi's speech in Palakkad on Sunday, Gandhi said the Prime Minister often speaks about temples and religion, but remained silent on Sabarimala.
"He forgot to speak about Sabarimala. He did not mention the issues related to Lord Ayyappa temple. This shows that BJP and LDF are working together," he alleged in the district where the Lord Ayyappa temple is located.
The Congress leader also claimed that the Prime Minister raises religious issues only when it suits electoral interests.
"For him (Modi), if it brings votes, he will speak about temples. Otherwise, he will remain silent," he said.
He asserted that those responsible for alleged irregularities related to the temple would be held accountable when the UDF comes to power. PTI