Kerala CM’s remarks stem from fear of Wayanad bypoll defeat: DK Shivakumar
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Bengaluru: The ongoing Wayanad Lok Sabha bypolls have sparked heated exchanges, with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan condemning Congress for aligning with Jamaat-e-Islami. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and State Congress President D.K. Shivakumar, responding to the controversy, claimed Vijayan’s statements are rooted in fear of suffering a significant defeat in the Wayanad bypolls.
CM Vijayan recently questioned Congress’s secular stance in a Facebook post, pointing to Priyanka Gandhi’s alleged engagement with Jamaat-e-Islami for support. “This exposes the Congress's so-called secular mask,” he remarked, calling Jamaat-e-Islami an organization that "does not uphold democratic values" and questioning if Congress stands aligned with such ideologies. Citing Jamaat-e-Islami’s presence in Jammu and Kashmir, he argued that the organization disregards India’s democratic framework and has a history of operating under a political guise.
In response, Shivakumar avoided direct engagement on the issue, stating, "We can’t comment on such things. Priyanka Gandhi is a national leader. The voters are different, and anyone who takes a decision to vote can cast their vote for anyone." He emphasized that Congress is committed to connecting with all communities, dismissing Vijayan’s remarks as he is "afraid of losing in the Wayanad by-election in a big way, and in that backdrop, he is making such remarks."
Shivakumar also noted that Priyanka Gandhi’s presence in Wayanad has been well-received by the local population, suggesting that such popularity might be inciting jealousy among opposition leaders.
When asked to comment on Chief Minister Siddaramaiah’s claim that finishing him in the state is as good as finishing the Congress party in Karnataka, Shivakumar remarked that CM Siddaramaiah is a mass leader and that the BJP is trying to finish him off politically. He further added that the BJP aims to eliminate all opposition leaders across the country.
With IANS Inputs