'Apologise to EC or be called frauds': Rajeev Chandrasekhar hits back at CM Satheesan
Kerala BJP Chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar responds to CM VD Satheesan, demanding Rahul Gandhi apologise to the EC for his remarks against PM Modi.
In a fiery political exchange in Kerala, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) state president Rajeev Chandrasekhar has issued a stern ultimatum regarding Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi. Chandrasekhar stated that he would cease referring to Gandhi as a "fraud" only if the Congress leader apologises to the Election Commission (EC) for his recent remarks and retracts his comments labeling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a "deshdrohi."
The confrontation erupted following a scathing critique from Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan, who condemned Chandrasekhar’s personal attacks on Gandhi as "irresponsible and malicious."
The Spark: Personal Attacks vs Political Criticism
The verbal duel began when Chief Minister Satheesan took to social media to denounce the BJP leader's rhetoric. Satheesan argued that making abusive remarks against the LoP does not constitute legitimate political criticism, suggesting instead that such language is a sign of a party that lacks answers for its own shortcomings.
Responding directly to the Chief Minister, Chandrasekhar defended his decision to step away from standard political discourse. He noted that while he rarely engages in personal attacks, the circumstances surrounding Rahul Gandhi's conduct have compelled him to do so.
Chandrasekhar's Allegations Against Rahul Gandhi
In a detailed post on X, Chandrasekhar laid out his grievances, accusing the Congress leader of building a political career on a foundation of misinformation and divisiveness. Key allegations included:
- Attacks on Institutions: Constant slander against the Prime Minister and the Election Commission.
- Misinformation: Spreading lies regarding the BJP and its government policies.
- Governance Issues: Alleging that the Congress party oversees corruption and malgovernance in states where they hold power.
- Lack of Service: Claiming that Gandhi has failed to earn respect through sincere hard work or service to the nation.
"I have absolutely no reservation or hesitation in referring to Rahul and his politics as politics built on fraud and corruption and him as a fraud," Chandrasekhar asserted, citing Gandhi's recent characterization of the PM and the EC as "deshdrohis" as the primary trigger.
The Ultimatum to the Kerala Government
Chandrasekhar did not mince words when addressing Chief Minister Satheesan. While acknowledging the CM's position, he suggested that the Chief Minister's stance was inconsistent with the senior leadership of his own party.
The BJP leader proposed a clear condition for changing his tone:
- The Apology: Rahul Gandhi must apologise for calling PM Modi a "deshdrohi."
- The Truth: Rahul Gandhi must apologise to the Election Commission for spreading falsehoods.
Chandrasekhar warned that if these conditions are not met and the Congress continues to rely on what he described as "lies, unkept promises, corruption and appeasement," they should be prepared to be labeled as frauds repeatedly.
The BJP leader concluded by pointing to a recent clarification from the Election Commission of India (ECI) as evidence that his claims regarding Gandhi's misinformation were valid, suggesting that any sensible person would reach the same conclusion.