Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday launched a sharp verbal attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying he lacks the understanding of even a local party worker despite being a national leader. The statement comes amid rising political tensions ahead of the April 9 Kerala assembly elections.
“Rahul Gandhi is a national leader. But the reality is that he lacks the understanding of even a local worker. He is not willing to understand things properly and refuses to learn despite getting smacked. These are not qualities fitting a political leader. I cannot understand how someone, whom all Congress workers see as their national face, can degrade so much?” Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said, marking a strong response to Gandhi’s recent remarks.
Background: Gandhi Alleges Collusion
The attack from Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan comes after Rahul Gandhi alleged that the ruling CPI(M) in Kerala and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have colluded to protect the state government from corruption probes. Speaking at a virtual rally in Kozhikode, Gandhi stated: “I have 40 cases against me. The Enforcement Directorate interrogated me for five days in a row. The BJP attacks me every second of every day. Why does the BJP not attack the Kerala Chief Minister? Why are corruption cases against him not going anywhere? This is the best proof of collusion between the BJP and LDF.”
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Gandhi also highlighted youth unemployment, claiming that one in three young Keralites faces joblessness due to the LDF’s wrong policies and backdoor appointments.
Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan Hits Back
Vijayan responded by referencing the arrest of former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal in the alleged irregularities of Delhi’s 2021-22 excise policy, noting that Gandhi and the Congress were among the first to demand action. “Kejriwal was arrested and charged. Now see what happened,” Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan said. He emphasized that the court later discharged Kejriwal, questioning whether Gandhi learned from that experience.
With the Kerala assembly elections just weeks away, the remarks by Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan have intensified the political heat. Both leaders are using strong rhetoric to mobilize support, focusing on governance, accountability, and public perception. The clash between Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan and Rahul Gandhi underscores the high-stakes nature of the 2026 elections and is likely to dominate headlines in the coming days.