The Congress party has become the ‘B’ team of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)-BJP combine in the State as half of that party’s leaders are now with the Hindu right wing, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.
Addressing a public meeting to mark the culmination of the 14th State conference of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) here on Wednesday, he said the Congress had not learnt from its past experiences in dealing with communalism. Many people were leaving that party and joining hands with communal forces.
“The State leadership of the Congress has taken an official line that party activists and leaders can cooperate with the Sabarimala agitation spearheaded by the Sangh Parivar without using the party flag. They have the guts to term their national president Rahul Gandhi's views welcoming the Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala as his personal opinion,” Mr. Vijayan said. He said the RSS-BJP and Congress had initially supported the verdict, but changed their stand later.
‘Flays RSS role’
The Chief Minister alleged that the RSS was trying to weaken the secular fabric of the State. “Many forces have contributed towards making Kerala a secular and progressive place. The RSS had no role in that process,” Mr. Vijayan said.
He said the Sangh Parivar was trying to create communal divide in the State and the Congress was joining hands with them. The government was of the view that it should protect devotees, Mr. Vijayan said.
