NEW DELHI: Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Sunday hit back at chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan for equating the BJP with the Congress, calling it a “shameless attempt” to attract Muslim voters ahead of the state assembly polls.Chandrasekhar accused both the CPM and the Congress of misleading voters by projecting rivalry in Kerala while aligning in other states.”Don’t you find it amazing comedy that the Congress is accusing the BJP of being the B-team of the CPM, and the CPM is accusing the BJP of being the B-team of the Congress. When they are in a formal alliance, in other states, it is like saying people of Keralam are fools to believe this kind of nonsense,” Chandrasekhar, the BJP candidate from Nemom, told ANI.Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Iran vows tit-for-tat strike after Trump’s 48hr ultimatum, threatens to hit US-Israel energy facilityWatch: Missile strike rocks Israel’s ‘Little India’ as Iran attack injures over 40; videos show chaosOver 100 injured in Israel amid Iran’s missile attack; Netanyahu calls it ‘difficult evening in battle for future’ Watch Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: Cong Demands Public Debate on Manifesto, Targets LDF Governance “Just across the border, they are contesting together in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and they have the gall to mislead the people of Keralam and say that they are not in an alliance with each other,” he added.The BJP leader alleged that both parties were trying to consolidate minority votes by positioning themselves against the BJP.”This is a shameless attempt with only one goal, both Congress and CPM are desperate to get the votes of the Muslim community. The only way they can get the votes of the Muslim community is by pretending that they are the ones opposing the BJP,” he said.He also cited the Telangana elections, claiming a similar strategy was used against the Bharat Rashtra Samithi.”Congress did it successfully in Telangana. They manufactured a controversy that the BRS is a B-team of the BJP. Sadly, the Muslim vote abandoned the BRS and went to Congress. But people of Keralam will not be fooled by you. They have seen 70 years of corruption, negligence and appeasement and have said enough,” Chandrasekhar said.Vijayan’s remarks on BJP, CongressThe sharp response comes after Vijayan in an interview with ANI, criticised both the BJP and Congress for having similar positions on key issues.”On such matters, both Congress and the BJP have the same stance. That is why when the BJP came to power, it began to implement Congress policies more intensely,” Vijayan said, referring to the Centre’s approach on West Asia.He also expressed confidence that the BJP would not win any seats in the upcoming polls.”I am firmly convinced that the BJP will not get even a single seat in this Assembly election,” the chief minister said.Rejecting Vijayan’s assertion, Chandrasekhar said electoral outcomes would be decided by voters, not political opponents.”Tragedy is that he (Vijayan) is not the one to decide. The voters will decide. He said that we would not get the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, but we got it,” he said.He added that the BJP is “the largest political party in the world” and an emerging force in Kerala politics, while accusing both CPM and Congress of being “scared to death” of the party.Kerala will vote in a single phase on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosMassive Oil And LPG Shipments From Russia, US Hit Indian Shores Amid Escalating Hormuz TensionsNarendra Modi Reviews Energy Security As Middle East Crisis Deepens8931 Days In Office: PM Modi Becomes Longest-Serving Head Of Govt Overtaking Pawan Kumar Chamling‘Zelenskyy Regime Core Exporter Of Instability’: Russia Reacts To NIA Arrest Of Ukrainians In India‘Selective Narrative’: 275 Ex-Officials, Judges Slam USCIRF Over ‘Disturbing’ Report On IndiaLPG Tanker ‘Pyxis Pioneer’ With Over 47,000 Tonnes Of Fuel From US Arrives At New Mangalore PortSeveral Injured In Dimona As Iranian Missile Hits Israel’s ‘Little India’; Videos Show ChaosJaishankar Speaks To Iran FM Araghchi, Discusses West Asia Conflict, Strait Of Hormuz Situation”Claims Are Baseless” Says Former Envoy Sanjay Verma On Trudeau’s AllegationsRahul Gandhi Warns Of Inflation Wave Amid Rupee Fall, Slams Modi Govt Over Strategy123Photostories5 factors to consider before investing in real estateTOISA 2025 celebrates India’s sporting excellence with Smriti Mandhana and Samrat Rana leading the honoursCan’t stop overthinking conversations before bed? 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NEW DELHI: Kerala BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar on Sunday hit back at chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan for equating the BJP with the Congress, calling it a “shameless attempt” to attract Muslim voters ahead of the state assembly polls.Chandrasekhar accused both the CPM and the Congress of misleading voters by projecting rivalry in Kerala while aligning in other states.“Don’t you find it amazing comedy that the Congress is accusing the BJP of being the B-team of the CPM, and the CPM is accusing the BJP of being the B-team of the Congress. When they are in a formal alliance, in other states, it is like saying people of Keralam are fools to believe this kind of nonsense,” Chandrasekhar, the BJP candidate from Nemom, told ANI.
“Just across the border, they are contesting together in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, and they have the gall to mislead the people of Keralam and say that they are not in an alliance with each other,” he added.The BJP leader alleged that both parties were trying to consolidate minority votes by positioning themselves against the BJP.“This is a shameless attempt with only one goal, both Congress and CPM are desperate to get the votes of the Muslim community. The only way they can get the votes of the Muslim community is by pretending that they are the ones opposing the BJP,” he said.He also cited the Telangana elections, claiming a similar strategy was used against the Bharat Rashtra Samithi.“Congress did it successfully in Telangana. They manufactured a controversy that the BRS is a B-team of the BJP. Sadly, the Muslim vote abandoned the BRS and went to Congress. But people of Keralam will not be fooled by you. They have seen 70 years of corruption, negligence and appeasement and have said enough,” Chandrasekhar said.
Vijayan’s remarks on BJP, Congress
The sharp response comes after Vijayan in an interview with ANI, criticised both the BJP and Congress for having similar positions on key issues.“On such matters, both Congress and the BJP have the same stance. That is why when the BJP came to power, it began to implement Congress policies more intensely,” Vijayan said, referring to the Centre’s approach on West Asia.He also expressed confidence that the BJP would not win any seats in the upcoming polls.“I am firmly convinced that the BJP will not get even a single seat in this Assembly election,” the chief minister said.Rejecting Vijayan’s assertion, Chandrasekhar said electoral outcomes would be decided by voters, not political opponents.“Tragedy is that he (Vijayan) is not the one to decide. The voters will decide. He said that we would not get the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, but we got it,” he said.He added that the BJP is “the largest political party in the world” and an emerging force in Kerala politics, while accusing both CPM and Congress of being “scared to death” of the party.Kerala will vote in a single phase on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4.
![NIA (Image credit: ANI) As part of an anti-India espionage network, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested a Kolkata-based man for allegedly passing confidential security-related information to Pakistan Intelligence Officers (PIOs).Sharing details of the arrest on X, the official NIA India account said, “A Pak-backed spy, Zafar Riaz @ Rizvi of Kolkata, has been arrested in an espionage racket, in which he was engaged in clandestinely passing confidential security-related information to Pakistan Intelligence Officers (PIOs) as part of an anti-India terror conspiracy.”According to the agency, the accused has been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Official Secrets Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A].“A Look Out Circular was issued against him and proceedings were also under way to declare him a Proclaimed Offender (PO) when he was taken into custody,” the NIA said in its press release.The agency further revealed during its investigation that the accused was married to a Pakistani national and had been travelling frequently between India and Pakistan since 2005.“During one such visit, he was contacted and cultivated by PIOs to carry out espionage activities in India in lieu of financial inducements and the promise of Pakistani citizenship,” the release added.NIA reveals alleged espionage networkAccording to the NIA, the accused allegedly facilitated espionage and terror operatives by sharing One-Time Passwords (OTPs) linked to Indian telecom mobile numbers with a PIO to activate WhatsApp accounts.The agency claimed these accounts were later used by the alleged PIO to communicate secretly with Motiram Jat, another accused in the case, who was allegedly involved in passing sensitive security-related information.Investigation continuesThe NIA said investigations are underway to identify other individuals linked to the espionage racket and uncover the larger conspiracy behind the operation.The arrest comes amid wider crackdowns by the agency across states including West Bengal, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to dismantle alleged cross-border intelligence networks.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Won’t Tolerate Any Form Of Nuclear Blackmail’: Rajnath Singh In South KoreaWho Is Ryan Williams? Footballer Who Gave Up Australian Citizenship To Play For IndiaCongress To Join Tamil Nadu Cabinet After 59 Years As Vijay Expands TVK GovernmentIndia, Italy Elevate Ties; PM Modi’s ‘Melody’ Gift To Meloni Goes Viral | Headlines@9Parle Industries Shares Jump 5% After Modi-Meloni’s ‘Melody’ Moment, But There’s A CatchItaly PM Giorgia Meloni Speaks Hindi During Joint Presser With PM Modi | Viral ‘Melodi’ Moment’Anarchic Mindset’: BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi For ‘Traitors’ Remark On PM Modi, Amit Shah’Warned India of Economic Storm, Then Flew to Italy on ₹4,000 Crore Jet’: Rahul Gandhi Slams PM ModiIndia Successfully Tests Suryastra Precision Rocket System With 300-Km Strike CapabilityThree Newly Married Women Die Within Five Days Across MP And UP, Families Allege Dowry Harassment123Photostories10 twin baby boy and girl names that are super cuteThey never smoked, but they got mouth cancer: What doctors want young people to know nowBella Hadid’s Cannes 2026 looks are a masterclass in quiet luxury glamour”Faltu khana na banaye, agar koi…” CM Yogi Adityanath urges people on being mindful while cooking: 5 tips on how to cook ‘right’ at homeMorning affirmation at 5 am: What happens when your brain hears positive words before sunriseInternational Tea Day 2026: 6 culinary uses of tea leaves apart from making teaUrvashi Rautela said ‘too much’ is the ultimate mood with not one but two extravagant gowns at Cannes 2026Exclusive – From Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah to Dhurandhar, Rakesh Bedi and Asit Kumarr Modi get candid about their bond and journey; actor reacts to David Dhawan’s remark8 strange and uncomfortable signs you are going through a quiet spiritual awakening8 giraffe facts that shock even wildlife lovers123Hot PicksSBI apprentice recruitment 2026US Iran warCBSE Class 12 re-evaluation 2026Gold price predictionAdani Group stocksNEET exam cancelledMHT CET Result 2026Top TrendingCBSE Answer SheetTwisha SharmaIPL Playoff RaceTN Results 2026Odisha 12th ResultsIPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026India VS Afghanistan Squad AnnouncementMHT CET Result DateJahangir Khan](https://vknewstoday.in/wp-content/uploads/1779329338_photo.jpg "NIA (Image credit: ANI) As part of an anti-India espionage network, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Wednesday arrested a Kolkata-based man for allegedly passing confidential security-related information to Pakistan Intelligence Officers (PIOs).Sharing details of the arrest on X, the official NIA India account said, “A Pak-backed spy, Zafar Riaz @ Rizvi of Kolkata, has been arrested in an espionage racket, in which he was engaged in clandestinely passing confidential security-related information to Pakistan Intelligence Officers (PIOs) as part of an anti-India terror conspiracy.”According to the agency, the accused has been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), the Official Secrets Act, and the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act [UA(P)A].“A Look Out Circular was issued against him and proceedings were also under way to declare him a Proclaimed Offender (PO) when he was taken into custody,” the NIA said in its press release.The agency further revealed during its investigation that the accused was married to a Pakistani national and had been travelling frequently between India and Pakistan since 2005.“During one such visit, he was contacted and cultivated by PIOs to carry out espionage activities in India in lieu of financial inducements and the promise of Pakistani citizenship,” the release added.NIA reveals alleged espionage networkAccording to the NIA, the accused allegedly facilitated espionage and terror operatives by sharing One-Time Passwords (OTPs) linked to Indian telecom mobile numbers with a PIO to activate WhatsApp accounts.The agency claimed these accounts were later used by the alleged PIO to communicate secretly with Motiram Jat, another accused in the case, who was allegedly involved in passing sensitive security-related information.Investigation continuesThe NIA said investigations are underway to identify other individuals linked to the espionage racket and uncover the larger conspiracy behind the operation.The arrest comes amid wider crackdowns by the agency across states including West Bengal, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan to dismantle alleged cross-border intelligence networks.About the AuthorTOI News DeskThe TOI News Desk comprises a dedicated and tireless team of journalists who operate around the clock to deliver the most current and comprehensive news and updates to the readers of The Times of India worldwide. With an unwavering commitment to excellence in journalism, our team is at the forefront of gathering, verifying, and presenting breaking news, in-depth analysis, and insightful reports on a wide range of topics. The TOI News Desk is your trusted source for staying informed and connected to the ever-evolving global landscape, ensuring that our readers are equipped with the latest developments that matter most.”Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’India Won’t Tolerate Any Form Of Nuclear Blackmail’: Rajnath Singh In South KoreaWho Is Ryan Williams? Footballer Who Gave Up Australian Citizenship To Play For IndiaCongress To Join Tamil Nadu Cabinet After 59 Years As Vijay Expands TVK GovernmentIndia, Italy Elevate Ties; PM Modi’s ‘Melody’ Gift To Meloni Goes Viral | Headlines@9Parle Industries Shares Jump 5% After Modi-Meloni’s ‘Melody’ Moment, But There’s A CatchItaly PM Giorgia Meloni Speaks Hindi During Joint Presser With PM Modi | Viral ‘Melodi’ Moment’Anarchic Mindset’: BJP Slams Rahul Gandhi For ‘Traitors’ Remark On PM Modi, Amit Shah’Warned India of Economic Storm, Then Flew to Italy on ₹4,000 Crore Jet’: Rahul Gandhi Slams PM ModiIndia Successfully Tests Suryastra Precision Rocket System With 300-Km Strike CapabilityThree Newly Married Women Die Within Five Days Across MP And UP, Families Allege Dowry Harassment123Photostories10 twin baby boy and girl names that are super cuteThey never smoked, but they got mouth cancer: What doctors want young people to know nowBella Hadid’s Cannes 2026 looks are a masterclass in quiet luxury glamour”Faltu khana na banaye, agar koi…” CM Yogi Adityanath urges people on being mindful while cooking: 5 tips on how to cook ‘right’ at homeMorning affirmation at 5 am: What happens when your brain hears positive words before sunriseInternational Tea Day 2026: 6 culinary uses of tea leaves apart from making teaUrvashi Rautela said ‘too much’ is the ultimate mood with not one but two extravagant gowns at Cannes 2026Exclusive – From Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah to Dhurandhar, Rakesh Bedi and Asit Kumarr Modi get candid about their bond and journey; actor reacts to David Dhawan’s remark8 strange and uncomfortable signs you are going through a quiet spiritual awakening8 giraffe facts that shock even wildlife lovers123Hot PicksSBI apprentice recruitment 2026US Iran warCBSE Class 12 re-evaluation 2026Gold price predictionAdani Group stocksNEET exam cancelledMHT CET Result 2026Top TrendingCBSE Answer SheetTwisha SharmaIPL Playoff RaceTN Results 2026Odisha 12th ResultsIPL 2026IPL Orange Cap 2026India VS Afghanistan Squad AnnouncementMHT CET Result DateJahangir Khan")
