The Congress leadership has defended All India Congress Committee president Rahul Gandhi for his remarks about entry of women into Sabarimala temple and accused the LDF of trying to create confusion over the party’s stand on the issue.
Addressing a press conference here on Wednesday, Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said Mr. Gandhi, while expressing his personal opinion on the issue, had adopted a liberal approach by permitting the State leadership to take a position which reflected popular public opinion.
“We congratulate Mr. Gandhi for his liberal and democratic approach that allowed differences. This is not possible in the RSS, BJP or CPI(M),” he said.
He, along with KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran, had met Mr. Gandhi and briefed him about the Sabarimala issue. Mr. Gandhi had given permission to the State leadership to back the popular sentiments of devotees.
Mr. Gandhi had made it clear that he personally favoured women’s entry into Sabarimala, but had given in to the demand of the State leadership. Mr. Chennithala said that there was no confusion in the United Democratic Front (UDF) or the Congress on the issue and the Left parties were deliberately trying to create confusion.
Mr. Chennithala accused BJP president Amit Shah of trying to incite violence in Sabarimala, instead of putting pressure on the Centre to bring in legislation on the issue. The State government was persistently trying to complicate the issue instead of settling it amicably. In this matter, the RSS-BJP and CPI(M) were on the same turf, he said.
When asked whether the leader of a national party such as the Congress could afford to have a personal opinion, Mr. Chennithala said it was a reflection of Mr. Gandhi’s approach. The Congress had believers and non-believers who coexisted in the party, he said.
The UDF would go ahead with its public campaign, with its emphasis on protecting tradition, custom and practices in tune with popular sentiments, he said.
