In a swift rebuttal, the Congress party on Sunday distanced itself from senior leader Mani Shankar Aiyar's controversial remarks predicting that Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan would retain power following the next Assembly elections, firmly asserting that the United Democratic Front (UDF) would reclaim governance in the state.
Aiyar's comments, which suggested Vijayan's continued tenure, sparked immediate backlash within the party, prompting Congress leaders to clarify that his views do not align with the official stance. The opposition alliance emphasized its strong prospects in the upcoming polls, rejecting any notion of the ruling Left Democratic Front's (LDF) dominance.
Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera addressed the controversy head-on, stating that Aiyar has been disconnected from the party's activities. "Mani Shankar Aiyar has had no connection whatsoever with the Congress for the past few years. He speaks and writes purely in his personal capacity," Khera remarked, making it clear that the party does not endorse his opinions.
Khera's intervention underscored the Congress's commitment to a unified message ahead of the elections, positioning the UDF as the preferred choice for Kerala's voters disillusioned with the current administration.
Echoing this sentiment, Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh expressed unwavering confidence in the opposition's victory. "Let there be no doubt. The people of Kerala will bring the UDF back for more responsible and responsive governance," Ramesh declared, highlighting the need for change in the state.
Ramesh further accused the ruling LDF and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of functioning as "covert partners" in Kerala, a pointed critique aimed at exposing what he sees as their underlying alliance against the UDF's return.
The episode highlights internal dynamics within the Congress as it gears up for the Assembly elections, with leaders prioritizing a cohesive narrative of UDF resurgence while sidelining dissenting voices like Aiyar's.
