Flag controversy, SDPI alliance takes sheen off congress party in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: UDF in Kerala has found themselves in a fix after LDF and BJP levelled strong allegations marring the congress hopes in the upcoming elections. LDF on Thursday strongly attacked the congress for avoiding the Muslim league flag from Rahul Gandhi’s rally in Wayanad while BJP brought the unholy nexus of SDPI with Congress as a campaign allegation. Albeit Congress leadership confirming that they don’t want SDPI votes, there still exists palpable differences within the party on the decision.

With just 20 days to go before the elections in Kerala, these issues have now eclipsed the much-discussed CAA.

Ahead of Rahul Gandhi's nomination paper submission, the road shows in Kalpetta on Wednesday sparked controversy after it was noticed that the Muslim league flags were carefully omitted. In 2019, Rahul Gandhi used Congress and Muslim League flags in his road show in Wayanad.

The flag of the Muslim League, which is akin to the national flag of Pakistan, was made an election tool by the BJP in North India, where Amit Shah took a jibe at Rahul asking whether he was contesting from India or Pakistan. Rahul Gandhi had to pay a big price for the error as he lost his family bastion of Amethi to Smriti Irani. It was minding this setback that the congress decided not to use the league flags this time.

On Thursday, CM Pinarayi Vijayan criticised Congress leadership for hiding the league flags in fear of RSS leadership. Explaining the historical importance of the national flag, the Chief Minister alleged that the present leaders of the Congress, who show cowardice in displaying even their party flag, have undermined the self-esteem of the party. CM Pinarayi also mocked Congress saying that they need league votes but won’t use their flag.

CPM interpreted the SDPI move as an unholy alliance of the UDF with a Muslim militant outfit, while the BJP accused the Congress of joining hands with an organization banned by the central government. Even Union Home Minister Amit Shah took up the issue which then forced the congress leadership to publicly denounce the alliance.