'We will work to ensure the defeat of Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad,' says CPM's Prakash Karat
As the Congress party announced that Rahul Gandhi will be contesting the 2019 election from two seats, along side Amethi, he will be there from Wayanad, the Left has criticised the decision and alleged that ‘Congress is targeting Left in Kerala.’
Former General Secretary of the CPI(M) Prakash Karat has criticized the Congress’ decision and said, “Decision of Congress to field Rahul Gandhi from Wayanad shows their priority now is to fight against Left in Kerala. It goes against Congress' national commitment to fight BJP, as in Kerala it's LDF which is the main force fighting BJP there.”
Prakash Karat, CPI(M) ex-General Secy: To pick a candidate like Rahul Gandhi against Left means that Congress is going to target the Left in Kerala. This is something which we will strongly oppose & in this election we will work to ensure the defeat of Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad. pic.twitter.com/uIjLgDhxF4
— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2019
Kerala CM P Vijayan on Rahul Gandhi contesting from Wayanad: He's fighting in one of the 20 constituencies(in Kerala)&doesn't need to be seen as any different. We'll fight him.He should've contested from a constituency where BJP is contesting,it's nothing but a fight against Left pic.twitter.com/VYehOrfJb8
— ANI (@ANI) March 31, 2019
Karat further added that the CP will ensure that Rahu Gandhi gets defeated from Wayanad constituency. “To pick a candidate like Rahul Gandhi against Left means that Congress is going to target the Left in Kerala. This is something which we will strongly oppose & in this election we will work to ensure the defeat of Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad.”
Reacting over the issue, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan recommended that Congress president should have contested from a constituency where BJP will be in battleground.
Vijayan said, “He's fighting in one of the 20 constituencies(in Kerala)&doesn't need to be seen as any different. We'll fight him.He should've contested from a constituency where BJP is contesting,it's nothing but a fight against Left.”
When Congress’ spokesperson Randeep Surjewala was asked about Rahul Gandhi not feeling confident, he said, “Why did Modi ji leave Gujarat and contest from Varanasi? Was he not confident in Gujarat? These are immature and childish comments. She(Smriti Irani) will complete a hattrick of losses.”
Also read: Rahul Gandhi to contest 2019 polls from 2 seats, Kerala's Wayanad to be second
First published: 31 March 2019, 12:39 IST