Dwelling on the infighting within the Congress’ Kerala unit, party Vice-President Rahul Gandhi said a defeat in the forthcoming State Assembly election would not result due to a challenge from the Opposition CPI(M), but because of the bickering within.

“It is the Congress alone that can defeat the Congress,” he told a meeting of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee’s Executive Committee. “This is not the time to fight,” he said, asking Congressmen to give up their distrust for the next two months. The time has come for them to hold their hands together and stand as one for the party’s good. “I’m confident the Congress can return to power and rule the State for another five years,” Gandhi said. The party is blessed with talented leaders who can guide it to victory, he said.

Bengal alliance

Meanwhile, senior leaders are reported to have advised Gandhi against the proposal to tie up with the CPI(M) in West Bengal since it was an ‘undependable’ party. The Kerala unit of the party has been in ferment ever since news broke of the proposal, in which its chief rival in Kerala is sought to be made an ally in Bengal.

Related Topics