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India Today
3 hours ago
- Politics
- India Today
Rahul Gandhi's 'I fight RSS, CPM ideologically' remark triggers INDIA bloc rift
Rahul Gandhi made the remark during an event in Kerala. Rahul Gandhi equated RSS and CPI(M), causing unrest in INDIA bloc Left leaders raised concerns in virtual meeting, calling remarks divisive CPI(M) leader MA Baby criticised Gandhi's comments as uninformed Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recent remarks equating the RSS and the CPI(M) sparked unease within the INDIA bloc, with Left leaders raising the issue during the alliance's virtual meeting on Saturday, according to sources. The comments, made by Gandhi at an event in Kerala, were flagged as inappropriate and potentially divisive by leaders of the Left parties, who warned that such statements could send the wrong message to cadres on the ground. Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, said during a speech in Kottayam on Friday that he fights both the RSS and the CPI(M) ideologically, but his main complaint against them is their lack of "feelings" for the people. "I fight them in the realm of ideas and in the realm of speech. But, my biggest complaint is that they do not have feelings for the people," he said while addressing a memorial meeting to mark the second death anniversary of former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. "If you are in politics, feel what people are thinking, listen to them, and touch them. The real tragedy in Indian politics today is that very few people are actually feeling what others are feeling," he added. Sources said CPI leader D Raja raised the issue during the INDIA bloc's online meeting, without directly naming Rahul Gandhi. He is learnt to have said that such remarks, equating the Left with the RSS, should be avoided as they create confusion among cadres and can damage the unity of the alliance. Another leader present reportedly pointed out that when the INDIA bloc began its journey, the common slogan was 'Desh Bachaao, BJP Hataao', and that no one should make statements that foster conflict within the bloc or draw comparisons between the Left and the RSS. CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby had strongly criticised Gandhi's comments earlier, calling them "unfortunate" and a reflection of a lack of understanding of the political realities in Kerala and India. In a scathing video message posted on X on Friday, a day before the INDIA bloc meeting, Baby said, "The very fact that he in a way equated the CPI(M) and RSS betrays the absence of a correct understanding of the role of CPI(M) and RSS in Kerala or India." He reminded Gandhi that the Congress government in 2004 could not have been formed without the support of the Left. "Rahul Gandhi only needs to recall how Mr Manmohan Singh could not have formed a government in 2004 without the support of CPI(M) and other Left parties. Congress did not command a majority in Lok Sabha after the 2004 election," he said. Taking a jibe at Gandhi's political record, he said, "Rahul Gandhi represented Wayanad, where he did not have to fight the RSS or BJP but a CPI candidate. I hope and wish that he would be more serious while speaking against CPI(M)." Gandhi had contested against CPI candidate Annie Raja in Wayanad and later vacated the seat after winning from Rae Bareli, which was then won by his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the bypoll. Baby further said, "We will make independent criticisms, but we will never equate the Congress with the BJP or RSS." He stressed that while the CPI(M) has often criticised the Congress on economic issues, it has done so in a "friendly manner". He added, "So, it was quite unfortunate that, in a very casual and sweeping manner, Mr. Rahul Gandhi put CPI(M) and RSS together as his ideological enemies. People can reflect upon it." He also questioned Gandhi's awareness of his own party's historical role in combating the RSS in Kerala. "I do not know whether Mr Rahul Gandhi knows what the record of the Congress in Kerala in fighting the RSS," Baby said. Both the Congress and CPI(M) are part of the INDIA bloc, an alliance of opposition parties formed to challenge the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. However, in Kerala, the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front and Congress-led United Democratic Front remain direct political opponents, with the BJP trying to expand its presence in the state. Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc meeting also saw parties resolve to raise several issues during the upcoming Parliament Monsoon Session, including the Pahalgam attack and the alleged threat to voting rights in Bihar due to a special revision of electoral rolls. The bloc is also planning a protest march to Jantar Mantar on July 23-24 over the voter list revision issue, with details of the plan currently being finalised. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi's recent remarks equating the RSS and the CPI(M) sparked unease within the INDIA bloc, with Left leaders raising the issue during the alliance's virtual meeting on Saturday, according to sources. The comments, made by Gandhi at an event in Kerala, were flagged as inappropriate and potentially divisive by leaders of the Left parties, who warned that such statements could send the wrong message to cadres on the ground. Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, said during a speech in Kottayam on Friday that he fights both the RSS and the CPI(M) ideologically, but his main complaint against them is their lack of "feelings" for the people. "I fight them in the realm of ideas and in the realm of speech. But, my biggest complaint is that they do not have feelings for the people," he said while addressing a memorial meeting to mark the second death anniversary of former Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. "If you are in politics, feel what people are thinking, listen to them, and touch them. The real tragedy in Indian politics today is that very few people are actually feeling what others are feeling," he added. Sources said CPI leader D Raja raised the issue during the INDIA bloc's online meeting, without directly naming Rahul Gandhi. He is learnt to have said that such remarks, equating the Left with the RSS, should be avoided as they create confusion among cadres and can damage the unity of the alliance. Another leader present reportedly pointed out that when the INDIA bloc began its journey, the common slogan was 'Desh Bachaao, BJP Hataao', and that no one should make statements that foster conflict within the bloc or draw comparisons between the Left and the RSS. CPI(M) General Secretary MA Baby had strongly criticised Gandhi's comments earlier, calling them "unfortunate" and a reflection of a lack of understanding of the political realities in Kerala and India. In a scathing video message posted on X on Friday, a day before the INDIA bloc meeting, Baby said, "The very fact that he in a way equated the CPI(M) and RSS betrays the absence of a correct understanding of the role of CPI(M) and RSS in Kerala or India." He reminded Gandhi that the Congress government in 2004 could not have been formed without the support of the Left. "Rahul Gandhi only needs to recall how Mr Manmohan Singh could not have formed a government in 2004 without the support of CPI(M) and other Left parties. Congress did not command a majority in Lok Sabha after the 2004 election," he said. Taking a jibe at Gandhi's political record, he said, "Rahul Gandhi represented Wayanad, where he did not have to fight the RSS or BJP but a CPI candidate. I hope and wish that he would be more serious while speaking against CPI(M)." Gandhi had contested against CPI candidate Annie Raja in Wayanad and later vacated the seat after winning from Rae Bareli, which was then won by his sister Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the bypoll. Baby further said, "We will make independent criticisms, but we will never equate the Congress with the BJP or RSS." He stressed that while the CPI(M) has often criticised the Congress on economic issues, it has done so in a "friendly manner". He added, "So, it was quite unfortunate that, in a very casual and sweeping manner, Mr. Rahul Gandhi put CPI(M) and RSS together as his ideological enemies. People can reflect upon it." He also questioned Gandhi's awareness of his own party's historical role in combating the RSS in Kerala. "I do not know whether Mr Rahul Gandhi knows what the record of the Congress in Kerala in fighting the RSS," Baby said. Both the Congress and CPI(M) are part of the INDIA bloc, an alliance of opposition parties formed to challenge the BJP in the 2024 Lok Sabha polls. However, in Kerala, the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front and Congress-led United Democratic Front remain direct political opponents, with the BJP trying to expand its presence in the state. Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc meeting also saw parties resolve to raise several issues during the upcoming Parliament Monsoon Session, including the Pahalgam attack and the alleged threat to voting rights in Bihar due to a special revision of electoral rolls. The bloc is also planning a protest march to Jantar Mantar on July 23-24 over the voter list revision issue, with details of the plan currently being finalised. Join our WhatsApp Channel
The Hindu
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Stop razing of DUSIB-notified slum at Indira Colony, CPI(M) urges PM
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Saturday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the General Manager of Northern Railway not to demolish a slum colony in west Delhi's Punjabi Bagh and withdraw the eviction notices served on the dwellers. In a letter, CPI(M) Delhi State secretary Anurag Saxena said the slum, located in Punjabi Bagh's Indira Colony, is notified and listed by the Delhi Urban Shelter Improvement Board (DUSIB). He claimed that the attempt to demolish the colony is not only 'unconstitutional' but also contrary to Delhi's rehabilitation policy. The party stated that no eviction action should be taken against the slum dwellers without ensuring their prior rehabilitation. It also demanded that an in situ rehabilitation policy be implemented for all slum clusters in Delhi. 'If the demands are not met, then a struggle will be waged against this injustice,' read the letter. The CPI(M) also demanded for the immediate restoration of electricity and water facilities and in-situ rehabilitation for dwellers of the Jai Hind Camp in Masoodpur, and submitted a letter to Chief Minister Rekha Gupta regarding it.
The Print
13 hours ago
- Politics
- The Print
CPI(M) calls Special Intensive Revision in Bihar ‘back door' entry of NRC, to hold protest on Aug 8
The Left party criticised the Election Commission for attempting to verify the citizenship of voters under the guise of revising electoral rolls, stating that this action is beyond its constitutional authority. In a statement following a Politburo meeting on July 18, the CPI(M) expressed concern over Bengali-speaking migrants being targeted in various states and reported evictions in Assam. New Delhi, Jul 19 (PTI) The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Saturday called for nationwide protests on August 8 against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, terming it a 'back door' approach to enforce the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise. 'Under the baseless pretext of weeding out foreigners from the electoral rolls, they are disenfranchising vast sections of minorities and other select groups,' the CPI(M) said. 'The NRC exercise, which was widely opposed by the people before the Covid pandemic, is sought to be enforced surreptitiously through the back door. The EC, which until now had acted in favour of the BJP-led government, has now become complicit in implementing the RSS/Sangh Parivar agenda,' the party noted. Describing these actions as an attack on democratic rights, the CPI(M) urged protests across the country on August 8. The CPI(M) also claimed that reports of 'targeted attacks on Bengali-speaking people' are emerging from many BJP-ruled states, like Delhi, Odisha, Assam, Haryana, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. 'Bengalis are being identified and branded as Bangladeshis without any proper verification of their documents and without following the due process. Such individuals are being detained by the police and subjected to inhuman abuse and torture,' they said. 'There are also instances of people (including Indian citizens) being forcefully pushed back to Bangladesh, both through land and even via the sea route,' the statement mentioned further. Calling these developments violations of the right to freedom of movement granted to all citizens by the Indian Constitution, the CPI(M) demanded an immediate halt to these 'illegal detentions' and the protection of citizens' rights. Accusing the Assam government of evicting a large number of people from their rightful lands, the Left party said, 'The BJP and the RSS are trying to exploit ethnic differences across various North Eastern states to create divisions and establish their dominance. These moves will harm the unity and integrity of our country, particularly in a region that shares a long international border. Additionally, the CPI(M) called for the repeal of the Maharashtra Public Security Bill, arguing that its vague definitions of extreme Left-wing forces and similar organisations permit the targeting of any opposition group. The party also demanded immediate steps for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising the need to respect the people's mandate that elected the state government. In the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, the CPI(M) said it will try to mobilise other opposition parties in the parliament to vote against various bills, including the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, as well as amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act. Furthermore, the party expressed concern about the government's proposed trade deals with the US and the EU, urging the Centre to consult stakeholders before embarking on an 'FTA signing spree.' PTI AO AO MPL MPL This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Indian Express
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
CPI(M) calls Special Intensive Revision in Bihar ‘back door' entry of NRC, to hold protest on Aug 8
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) on Saturday called for nationwide protests on August 8 against the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar, terming it a 'back door' approach to enforce the National Register of Citizens (NRC) exercise. In a statement following a Politburo meeting on July 18, the CPI(M) expressed concern over Bengali-speaking migrants being targeted in various states and reported evictions in Assam. The Left party criticised the Election Commission for attempting to verify the citizenship of voters under the guise of revising electoral rolls, stating that this action is beyond its constitutional authority. 'Under the baseless pretext of weeding out foreigners from the electoral rolls, they are disenfranchising vast sections of minorities and other select groups,' the CPI(M) said. 'The NRC exercise, which was widely opposed by the people before the Covid pandemic, is sought to be enforced surreptitiously through the back door. The EC, which until now had acted in favour of the BJP-led government, has now become complicit in implementing the RSS/Sangh Parivar agenda,' the party noted. Describing these actions as an attack on democratic rights, the CPI(M) urged protests across the country on August 8. The CPI(M) also claimed that reports of 'targeted attacks on Bengali-speaking people' are emerging from many BJP-ruled states, like Delhi, Odisha, Assam, Haryana, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra. 'Bengalis are being identified and branded as Bangladeshis without any proper verification of their documents and without following the due process. Such individuals are being detained by the police and subjected to inhuman abuse and torture,' they said. 'There are also instances of people (including Indian citizens) being forcefully pushed back to Bangladesh, both through land and even via the sea route,' the statement mentioned further. Calling these developments violations of the right to freedom of movement granted to all citizens by the Indian Constitution, the CPI(M) demanded an immediate halt to these 'illegal detentions' and the protection of citizens' rights. Accusing the Assam government of evicting a large number of people from their rightful lands, the Left party said, 'The BJP and the RSS are trying to exploit ethnic differences across various North Eastern states to create divisions and establish their dominance. These moves will harm the unity and integrity of our country, particularly in a region that shares a long international border. Additionally, the CPI(M) called for the repeal of the Maharashtra Public Security Bill, arguing that its vague definitions of extreme Left-wing forces and similar organisations permit the targeting of any opposition group. The party also demanded immediate steps for the restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising the need to respect the people's mandate that elected the state government. In the upcoming Monsoon Session of Parliament, the CPI(M) said it will try to mobilise other opposition parties in the parliament to vote against various bills, including the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, as well as amendments to the Atomic Energy Act and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act. Furthermore, the party expressed concern about the government's proposed trade deals with the US and the EU, urging the Centre to consult stakeholders before embarking on an 'FTA signing spree.'
The Hindu
15 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
CPI(M) opposes installation of smart electricity meters in Vijayawada
The Communist Party of India (Marxist) has strongly opposed the installation of smart electricity meters in households, accusing the ruling coalition government of burdening the public by surrendering to the directives of the Modi-led Central government. Addressing the press on Saturday, CPI(M) central city secretary Bhupathi Ramana Rao alleged that the smart meters and solar power projects are being used as a cover for large-scale corruption involving contracts and tenders worth crores of rupees. He criticised the government's double standards, pointing out that when the previous government proposed smart meters, TDP, the then-opposition party, had called for their destruction. 'The current coalition must remember its earlier stance,' he said. Mr. Ramana Rao further stated that public sentiment is strongly against the installation of smart meters. He demanded that the government immediately cancel the smart meter and solar power agreements. Highlighting ongoing protests, he said that the CPI(M) has been conducting door-to-door awareness campaigns over the past week in Governorpet, Suryaraopet, and Seetharampuram areas, educating residents about the implications of smart meters and helping them submit individual objections. The CPI(M) leaders submitted a petition and public grievance applications to the assistant engineer at the Governorpet electricity office, demanding a halt to smart meter installations. Ramana Rao warned that if the Electricity Department and the coalition government fail to consider the public's demands, the party would intensify the agitation by mobilising large-scale protests across the city. CPI(M) central city committee members Y. Subbarao, local leaders K. Gurumurthy, B. Lakshman Rao, and K. Venkateswara Reddy were among those who participated in the protest activities.
