Rahul Gandhi Targets LDF, Alleges Ideological Compromise and Hidden Nexus Ahead of Kerala Polls

Addressing a public rally in Alappuzha, the Congress MP said the United Democratic Front (UDF) had historically battled LDF ideas, noting that the Left once stood for certain policies that justified the word “Left” in its political structure. He stated that while the LDF had long been a formidable ideological opponent, it no longer represented those principles. “The LDF were our opponents for years, and we fought them, and we will continue to fight them. But for many years, they stood for certain ideas we disagreed with, and we fought them on those ideas. But they stood for something, and as a symbol of that, they have the word 'Left' in their organisation structure's name. What does LDF stand for? Left Democratic Front. Frankly, there is nothing 'Left' about the Left front, and after the elections, there will be nothing 'Left' of the Left front,” Gandhi said.

Escalating his criticism, Gandhi alleged a nexus between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and the LDF, claiming that a “hidden hand” was influencing the Kerala government. He described this alleged influence as communal, anti-Constitution, and divisive. “What is disturbing the leader on the stage is that their policies are no longer of the Left. What is disturbing him, and many, many workers of the Left Front, is that there is a hidden hand today that is running the LDF government. The hidden hand is communal, doesn't accept the Constitution of India, divides the people of India, attacks the people of India, humiliates the people of India, and everybody in Kerala can see that there is a relationship now between the BJP, RSS, and the Left Front, CPM,” he said.

The Congress leader further described the LDF as a bloc dominated by “opportunistic” leaders willing to go to any extent to gain power, regardless of ideological alignment. He added that while some leaders pursued power without concern for support from the BJP or RSS, a section of committed party workers felt betrayed and disillusioned. “Most leaders in the Left Front are opportunistic leaders. Understand this: some opportunistic leaders will do anything to come to power. They don't care whether they are being helped by the BJP, RSS. They don't care. Then, some leaders believe in something. Some workers have spent many, many years working for the ideology, who are feeling betrayed, let down, hurt, and who are very upset about what is happening to their party,” he stated.

Turning his criticism toward Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gandhi questioned why Modi consistently targets the Congress but refrains from attacking the LDF government or its leadership. He also highlighted his own political and legal battles against the BJP and RSS, stating that despite facing 38 cases, losing his Lok Sabha membership and house, being out on bail, and undergoing 55 hours of interrogation, he never backed down. “I fight the BJP. I fight the RSS. I have got 38 cases on me. They took away my house. They took away my Lok Sabha. I am out on bail. They interrogated me for 55 hours, but I never backed down. PM Narendra Modi attacks Congress every single time. Why does he not attack the Chief Minister? Why does he not attack his family?” Gandhi said.

Gandhi also criticised Modi’s religious rhetoric, questioning his silence on the alleged Sabarimala gold theft issue. He claimed that while the Prime Minister frequently speaks about religion and temples, he avoids addressing such issues in Kerala to benefit the LDF government. “Forget that, Narendra Modi in every other speech mentions God, temples, and religion—every second speech of his. How somebody has insulted his God, temple, or religion. And the most valued temple in Kerala, the gold was stolen from that temple. Gold is stolen from Lord Aiyappa's temple. It is replaced by brass. The Prime Minister comes to Kerala, doesn't say a word about it. He has forgotten God, the temple, and religion because he wants to help the LDF and the Kerala CM. Truth is, that LDF can never challenge him in India. That is why the UDF is his target,” he said.

The political landscape in Kerala has traditionally been defined by a contest between the LDF and the UDF, with both alliances alternating in power. However, this pattern was disrupted in 2021 when the LDF retained power consecutively. The upcoming election presents a three-way contest, with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) seeking to expand its presence following recent successes, including winning its first Lok Sabha seat in Thrissur in 2024 and securing victory in the Thiruvananthapuram local body polls.

The LDF, led by the Communist Party of India (Marxist), includes key allies such as Kerala Congress (M), Rashtriya Janata Dal, and Nationalist Congress Party (Sharadchandra Pawar). The UD

F comprises the Indian National Congress, Kerala Congress, and the Indian Union Muslim League. The NDA, led by the BJP, includes state parties such as the Twenty 20 Party, Bharath Dharma Jana Sena, and Kerala Kamaraj Congress.

Polling for the 2026 Kerala Legislative Assembly elections is scheduled for April 9, with counting set for May 4. The tenure of the current assembly will conclude on May 23, making the election a निर्णायक moment in the state’s evolving political dynamics