Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 28 Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Monday hit back at BJP state chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar, accusing him of “political bankruptcy” and resorting to “cheap rhetoric” to divert attention from the real issues like the credibility of the Election Commission.
Satheesan, through posts on X and Facebook, was responding to Chandrasekhar’s social media posts, earlier in the day, reiterating his demand for an apology from Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha to PM Narendra Modi and the Election Commission (EC).
Chandrasekhar,in posts on Facebook and X, asked the CM to make Rahul apologise to Modi, for calling him a “deshdrohi”, and to the Election Commission (EC), for lying, then he will stop referring to the Leader of Opposition as a fraud.
“Here’s my offer to CM @vdsatheesan. If you don’t take up my offer but persist in using lies, unkept promises, corruption, and appeasement as your political strategy, be prepared to be called out as frauds. Every time,” he said on X.
He had made this demand on Sunday also after Satheesan had condemned some of the BJP leader’s remarks against Rahul and said personal and abusive comments against the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha did not constitute political criticism.
Hitting back at the BJP MLA from Nemom, the CM said that the Congress and Rahul are “the defenders of democracy and secularism”, and asked whether any leader of the saffron party, including Chandrasekhar, truthfully make such a claim.
“BJP State President Rajeev Chandrasekhar has launched personal attacks against the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, who holds a place in the hearts of millions of Indians. Neither the Congress movement nor the civil society of Keralam will tolerate this under any circumstances,” Satheesan said.
He said that while occupying a position that demands maintaining political dignity and cultural decorum, the BJP state chief was “resorting to baseless allegations and cheap rhetoric” that only exposes his “political bankruptcy”.
“Rajeev Chandrasekhar must remember that when pointing a finger at Rahul Gandhi, the remaining fingers point right back at his own chest,” the CM said.
He further said that serious concerns were surfacing regarding the credibility of the Election Commission and the impartiality of autonomous institutions, and it was the Congress and Rahul who were courageously raising their voices when the nation’s Constitution and democratic institutions have allegedly surrendered to serve sectarian interests.
Satheesan also contended that such voices were causing “immense discomfort” to the Sangh Parivar.
“Diverting attention from the real issues through such fascist-style rhetoric will not succeed. The relentless struggle waged by Rahul Gandhi and the Indian National Congress to protect fundamental rights and equal justice cannot be weakened by such threats or intimidations.
“Setting aside hollow claims and anti-people policies, you and your party must demonstrate the integrity to address real public issues,” he said.
The war of words between the two began after Satheesan condemned the remarks made by Chandrasekhar against Rahul with regard to the reported differences of opinion within the Election Commission of India over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.
(PTI News)
