Congress increasing BJP’s membership: Kerala CM’s jibe at party’s political crisis

“Just like little goats wagging their tongues when given fresh leaves and then following that bait, Congress leaders have gone. These people are the party’s leaders,” CPI(M) leader and Chief Minister of Kerala Pinarayi Vijayan slammed the grand old party on Friday. 

Pinarayi was referring to the defection of 10 Congress leaders to the BJP in Goa and the resignations of 18 Cong-JD(S) MLAs in Karnataka.  

In Karnataka, 16 MLAs from the JD(S) Congress ruling coalition and two independent MLAs submitted their resignations to the Speaker last week. If the resignations are accepted, the ruling government’s assembly numbers will be reduced to a minority, making it easier for the BJP to stake claim to form the next government. Congress leaders have flayed the BJP for poaching these MLAs to crush the existing governments. 

Following the mass dissidence in Karnataka last week, 10 Congress MLAs from Goa rebelled this week and joined the BJP. Some of the MLAs met Home Minister Amit Shah and Party chief JP Nadda in Delhi on Thursday. The MLAs were accompanied by Goa Chief Minister Pramod Savant.

Kerala Chief Minister took a dig at this unique political crisis which the grand old party was facing in the states and said that Congress was increasing BJP’s membership. 

According to reports, when such mass defections were taking place inside the party, the CM asked if the grand old party must remain without leadership at the helm. He asked if the party has leadership only during the golden period and was left with no one during times of crisis. 

Pinarayi added that the CPI(M) had no right to criticise the Congress on the party’s internal structure. He however added that at such a time, Congress leaders are supporting BJP to increase its strength. 

Following Pinarayi’s comments, KPCC President Mullappally Ramachandran said that Pinarayi should look at increasing the numbers of CPI(M) both at the centre and state level after its humiliating defeat during the Lok Sabha elections. 

Ramachandran also added that the Congress did not want the chief minister’s solution for the party. In a letter, he added that the CM had consistently opposed Rahul Gandhi’s drive to  create a secular democratic front against the BJP at a national level.