The Hindu (Mumbai)

Rahul asks why no action taken against Pinarayi

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Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has expressed astonishme­nt at the BJP and Central agencies for allegedly targeting him while ignoring “serious allegation­s” against Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.

Speaking at a public meeting organised by the United Democratic Front in Kannur as part of the Lok Sabha election campaign on Thursday, Mr. Gandhi recounted his own experience­s of facing backlash for opposing the BJP, including “being subjected to media abuse, losing his Lok Sabha membership, enduring 55 hours of interrogat­ion by the ED, and being evicted from his o’cial residence.”

Mr. Gandhi asked why Mr. Vijayan has not faced similar consequenc­es despite corruption allegation­s and other issues. He highlighte­d the “imprisonme­nt of two Chief Ministers” from other States, contrastin­g it with Mr. Vijayan’s immunity.

Mr. Gandhi suggested that while he has been vigorously opposing the BJP, Mr. Vijayan seems to be “untouched” by Central agencies, despite his claims of ”ghting an ideologica­l battle against the BJP. Asserting the importance of Constituti­onal institutio­ns such as the Election Commission, the judiciary, investigat­ive agencies such as the ED and the CBI in “safeguardi­ng democracy”, Mr. Gandhi accused the BJP of weaponisin­g these institutio­ns for political gains.

He criticised the BJP’s attempts to impose “a singular history, language, and ideology on the diverse nation of India,” which, he argued, undermines its essence and creates disharmony.

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Rahul Gandhi

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