LDF, CM Vijayan PM Modi's 'B-team': Cong leader Priyanka Gandhi

Thiruvananthapuram/Kollam, Apr 2 (PTI) Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi on Thursday accused the ruling LDF in Kerala and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of being Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "B-team" and of secretly joining hands with the BJP, desperate to stay in power in the state.

Priyanka, speaking at a corner meeting in Puthanthopu in Thiruvananthapuram as part of the Congress-led UDF poll campaign for the Kerala assembly elections, alleged that Modi "bowed down" before the US and Israel in connection with the West Asia conflict, and as a result created a situation where India will also suffer along with other nations.

"Our PM is a coward who has no spine and is compromised. We are paying every day because he does not have the guts to stand up for India..." she alleged.

She reiterated her allegations at UDF public meetings in Kollam and Kowdiar in Thiruvananthapuram.

In her speeches at the public events, she also alleged that Modi's policies have not provided safety and security to Indians stranded in the Gulf region during the conflict there.

Priyanka also accused the LDF and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of being Modi's "B-team".

"Think about it. Name one leader who has stood up and expressed himself or herself against Narendra Modi and not been attacked either by the Enforcement Directorate, the Income Tax department, the CBI or his other agencies," she said.

Priyanka said that it makes her laugh when the Kerala CM says he is fighting the PM as there is not a single case against Vijayan nor are any central agencies after him.

She alleged that the Kerala CM was compromised, just like the PM.

"Your chief minister bows before Narendra Modi to protect himself and his corruption, while our PM bows before the US and Israel to protect himself. So, whether it is India or Kerala, we are ruled by cowards," she alleged.

The Congress leader claimed that the PM has handed over India's energy security to the US, which decides from where and how much the country should buy oil.

She also questioned why no Left leader in Kerala has been attacked by the PM and contended that Modi was silent with regard to the alleged misappropriation of gold from Sabarimala.

"Whether it's the BJP or the LDF, please recognise the truth that they are 'corrupt corporate parties'. They have been in power long enough and it is time to bring about a change," the Congress leader said.

She also charged the Left government with providing people of the state with less and less opportunities the more it was in power.

The Congress leader also accused the Left government of being "negligent" towards the needs and problems of the people of the state.

She further claimed that the health system in Kerala was crumbling as there was a shortage of staff, medical equipment and medicines in government-run hospitals.

She alleged that the Left in Kerala was only interested in "retaining power" and in corruption.

"They have become so desperate to stay in power that they have secretly joined hands with the BJP, which is ideologically poles apart from them," she claimed.

Priyanka also referred to the five Indira guarantees, which are part of the UDF manifesto and include free travel for women on all Kerala state transport buses, hike in welfare pension to Rs 3,000 per month and a monthly assistance of Rs 1,000 to college-going girl students.

Besides these, a Rs 25 lakh insurance scheme will be provided to every family in Kerala, small businesses will get an interest-free loan of Rs 5 lakh and a dedicated department for senior citizens will be set up in the state, she said.

"If you do not bring a change today, you will have to suffer for another five years. So, make a choice. You are getting a chance to make political leaders answerable to you," she emphasised.

The elections to the Kerala Assembly, which has 140 seats, will be held on April 9. PTI