Satheesan condemns Rajeev Chandrasekhar’s remarks against Rahul Gandhi

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan on Monday criticised State BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar for making personal remarks against Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, saying such statements would not be accepted by the Congress or the people of Kerala.

Satheesan said the Congress and Rahul Gandhi were committed to defending democracy and secularism. He challenged Chandrasekhar and other BJP leaders to affirm that they too stood for the protection of secular values.

In a social media post, Satheesan said Chandrasekhar had targeted Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, with personal attacks despite his position requiring political restraint and public decorum.

“Neither the Congress movement nor Kerala’s public will accept this under any circumstances,” Satheesan said.

He accused Chandrasekhar of making baseless allegations and using objectionable language, claiming that the BJP leader’s remarks reflected “political bankruptcy”.

Satheesan also warned Chandrasekhar against criticising Rahul Gandhi, saying that accusations directed at the Congress leader could equally reflect on the person making them.

The Kerala Congress leader raised questions about the functioning of the Election Commission and the neutrality of autonomous institutions. He alleged that the country’s constitutional institutions and democratic framework were being compromised in favour of a particular group.

According to Satheesan, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress had continued to oppose such developments without fear, which had unsettled the Sangh Parivar.

He said attempts to divert public attention from pressing issues through what he described as “fascist-style statements” would not succeed.

Satheesan maintained that threats and criticism would not deter the Congress or Rahul Gandhi from raising concerns over citizens’ rights and equal justice.

He urged Chandrasekhar and the BJP to focus on issues affecting the public instead of making what he called hollow claims and pursuing anti-people policies.

The exchange comes amid a growing confrontation between the Congress and the BJP over the Election Commission, electoral rolls and Rahul Gandhi’s criticism of the poll panel.

Satheesan’s response also broadened the dispute into a debate over democracy, secularism and the independence of constitutional institutions.

(Inputs from IANS)