The Congress found itself in a spot on Thursday after its Wayanad MP Rahul Gandhi “endorsed” the Loka Kerala Sabha (LKS), the flagship programme of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government to harness the wealth and expertise of non-resident Keralites (NoRKs) for the development of the State.
The Congress unit in Kerala had boycotted the convention terming it a splurge and spectacle of no consequence to the people.
However, Mr. Gandhi’s letter came as an unexpected propaganda windfall for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. He immediately tweeted the message on his social media account to the discomfiture of the Congress leaders.
In a letter on December 12, 2019, Mr. Gandhi had said the “LKS is a great platform to connect with the diaspora and recognise their contribution.”
‘Misrepresented’
Congress general secretary K.C. Venugopal and Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala came out against Mr. Vijayan, saying he was trying to whip up a controversy as the Wayanad MP’s letter was only a gesture of courtesy. Mr. Gandhi had sent the letter on December 12 while the Congress-led Opposition United Democratic Front decided to keep away from the LKS on December 20, Mr. Chennithala said.
Mr. Chennithala said it is natural for Mr. Gandhi to reply to the letter written by the Chief Minister inviting him for the meeting.
