Pinarayi Vijayan, Rahul Gandhi NEW DELHI: Keralam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday targeted Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, calling them the “B-team” of the BJP, as the political fight ahead of the state elections intensifies.Addressing a press conference in Ernakulam, Vijayan said Rahul Gandhi lacked even the basic understanding expected from a Congress worker in Kerala. Watch Kerala Assembly Elections 2026: Cong Demands Public Debate on Manifesto, Targets LDF Governance “Rahul Gandhi is a national leader, yet he lacks the basic awareness of even a common local worker of Congress in Kerala; he simply refuses to learn from experience or mistakes. It is hard to understand how such a downfall is happening to him,” he said. “Rahul Gandhi and his Congress are the ‘B-team’ of the BJP in the country, and yet its stance is being adopted across India,” he added.The remarks came a day after Rahul Gandhi accused the ruling Left Democratic Alliance (LDF) of having a hidden understanding with the BJP. Israel Iran WarUS-Israel-Iran War News Live Updates: Trump says Iran ‘afraid’ to admit it wants a deal, claims ‘they’ll be killed by their own people or us’Iran claims it shot down ‘F-18′ fighter jet over Chabahar; US fact-check tells a different story’Will attack infrastructure’: Iran on reports that ‘enemies’ preparing to occupy island with help from ‘regional’ countryLaunching the United Democratic Alliance (UDF) campaign in Kozhikode, Rahul said there were only two sides in Kerala politics.“There are actually only two sides fighting here in Keralam. One is the UDF alliance, and the other is the partnership between the BJP and the LDF. The UDF unites people, listens to them, and embraces and empowers them. The LDF and their hidden partner divide people and crush them,” Rahul said.He also questioned the state government’s job promises. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national employment pledge and the Keralam government’s commitments, he said, “Modi ji promised 2 crore jobs at the national level. Keralam Chief Minister promised 40 lakh jobs in the state, and after a decade, you find that they have not given a single job to the people; in fact, they have destroyed jobs.”The Congress leader further said that both the BJP and the LDF do not see themselves as accountable to the people. “Neither the BJP nor the LDF believes they are answerable to the people. They do not believe that the people of Keralam should be able to ask them questions,” he said.Keralam will go to polls in a single phase on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4. The term of the current assembly ends on May 23.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 MediaVideosDelhi Crime Branch Busts Global Arms Racket With Pakistan, Bangladesh Links And Foreign WeaponsAt Least 14 Dead, 20 Injured After Private Bus Collides With Lorry In Andhra PradeshIranian Air And Space Forces Thank Kashmir For Aid, Vow Revenge After Khamenei’s DeathIndia Not A ‘Broker’ Like Pak: Jaishankar Tells Leaders At All-Party Meet Amid Iran Mediation Buzz’No Locus Standi To Comment’: India Rejects Pakistan’s Remarks On Asiya Andrabi’s Life SentenceIran Dictates Endgame:Demands Closure Of US Bases In Gulf, Lifting Of Sanctions, Control Over HormuzCentre Pushes PNG: LPG Supply May Be Stopped Where Pipelines Are AvailableWomen’s Quota Bill: What Are The Big Challenges Modi Govt Is Likely To FaceIran Denies Permission To Pakistan-Bound Ship Trying To Cross Hormuz As Indian Ships Sail ThroughDelhi Deputy CM Parvesh Verma Calls Arvind Kejriwal Rehman Dakait In Assembly, Sparks Political Row123Photostories8 skills that can sharpen your child’s brain this summer holidayWhen a cough isn’t just a cough: Identifying early warning signs and when it should prompt immediate medical attentionHow to turn your everyday task into an exerciseFrom ‘Grey’s Anatomy’, ‘Emily in Paris’ to ‘The Pitt’: Top TV character departures of all time amid Rocky Carroll’s NCIS exitKumar Mangalam Birla’s Mumbai Home: Inside a ₹425 crore icon of luxury livingReality TV to real-life crimes: 5 controversial stars, from Jen Shah to Josh Duggar who were arrestedShows like ‘Hannah Montana’ that made every 90s kid’s childhood: ‘Wizards of Waverly Place’, ‘iCarly’ and more5 easiest countries for Indians to visit 2026 visa rules and costsSourav Ganguly’s ₹40 crore ancestral mansion in Kolkata is a 48-room family legacy, cricketing glory and classic Bengali charmUnder 200 calories filling desi Indian breakfast ideas123Hot PicksKaroline LeavitTristan da Cunha8th Pay CommissionGold rate todayIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingOil Price TodayHyderabad MurderVanessa TrumpArnold Schwarzenegger’s sonUS Army EnlistmentZohran MamdaniNirav RanaWest Bengal ElectionLPG crisis reasonTransgender law
Pinarayi Vijayan, Rahul Gandhi
NEW DELHI: Keralam Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday targeted Rahul Gandhi and the Congress, calling them the “B-team” of the BJP, as the political fight ahead of the state elections intensifies.Addressing a press conference in Ernakulam, Vijayan said Rahul Gandhi lacked even the basic understanding expected from a Congress worker in Kerala.
“Rahul Gandhi is a national leader, yet he lacks the basic awareness of even a common local worker of Congress in Kerala; he simply refuses to learn from experience or mistakes. It is hard to understand how such a downfall is happening to him,” he said. “Rahul Gandhi and his Congress are the ‘B-team’ of the BJP in the country, and yet its stance is being adopted across India,” he added.The remarks came a day after Rahul Gandhi accused the ruling Left Democratic Alliance (LDF) of having a hidden understanding with the BJP. Launching the United Democratic Alliance (UDF) campaign in Kozhikode, Rahul said there were only two sides in Kerala politics.“There are actually only two sides fighting here in Keralam. One is the UDF alliance, and the other is the partnership between the BJP and the LDF. The UDF unites people, listens to them, and embraces and empowers them. The LDF and their hidden partner divide people and crush them,” Rahul said.He also questioned the state government’s job promises. Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s national employment pledge and the Keralam government’s commitments, he said, “Modi ji promised 2 crore jobs at the national level. Keralam Chief Minister promised 40 lakh jobs in the state, and after a decade, you find that they have not given a single job to the people; in fact, they have destroyed jobs.”The Congress leader further said that both the BJP and the LDF do not see themselves as accountable to the people. “Neither the BJP nor the LDF believes they are answerable to the people. They do not believe that the people of Keralam should be able to ask them questions,” he said.Keralam will go to polls in a single phase on April 9, with counting scheduled for May 4. The term of the current assembly ends on May 23.
