‘Who Else’ campaign reflects Pinarayi Vijayan’s arrogance, says Rahul Gandhi

THRISSUR/KOZHIKODE: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Monday lashed out at the advertisement campaign of the LDF with the huge portrait of chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the tagline ‘Who Else' and alleged that both Vijayan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi share the arrogant self-perception that only they can rule the state and the country.

Addressing public meetings at Kunnamkulam and Mala in Thrissur, Rahul alleged that both Pinarayi and Modi believe that no one else has the capacity to rule the state and the country, and are intolerant to criticisms and strive to smash those who question them.

"How can a chief minister go to the people with the question, ‘Who Else' to rule. It is the height of arrogance. In fact, I would advise the CM to remove those billboards from the streets of Kerala. Every time a Keralite looks at those boards, he or she is made to feel insulted because he or she is being told that he or she cannot rule the state," Rahul said.

"Precisely it is this arrogant mindset that we are fighting. It is the same mindset that Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Himanta Biswa Sarma (Assam chief minister) have. Leaders must understand that wisdom lies with the people, in the farmers, workers, people who run businesses, and the like. And the job of the leader is to understand this wisdom and work with the people," he said.

Reiterating the allegation of BJP-CPM deal, Rahul said Modi and Pinarayi avoid mutual criticism and support each other. "Pinarayi had tortured those who waved black flags at him. Modi lets the investigating agencies lose against all those who criticise him. Over 30 cases have been slapped against me and I was interrogated for over 55 hours at a stretch by the central agencies. In fact, Modi takes pain not to talk about the Sabarimala gold heist in order to protect Pinarayi," Rahul said.

Signing of the India-US deal indicates that US President Donald Trump controls Modi. No Prime Minister would have signed such an agreement with the US, which has sacrificed all interest of India. Similarly, the Kerala CM is controlled by Modi and Shah, Rahul said.

LDF compromised its ideology: Priyanka

Meanwhile, Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi alleged that LDF has entered into a secret deal with BJP compromising its ideology, accountability and sense of responsibility to retain power. Campaigning for KPCC president Sunny Joseph in Iritty, Priyanka said the people of Kerala have been victims of a corrupt govt.

"We have seen massive thefts in Sabarimala but there has been no word from the Prime Minister. All of us who oppose PM and raise our voice against him have ED cases, income tax cases and CBI cases on us but not a single one on the chief minister of Kerala," she said.