Rahul Gandhi Criticizes PM Modi Over Shabarimala Silence During Kerala Visit

In a recent rally, Rahul Gandhi sharply criticized Prime Minister Modi for his silence on the Shabarimala issue during his visit to Kerala. He accused Modi of colluding with the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and claimed that the BJP is covertly supporting the LDF in the upcoming elections. Gandhi highlighted the disparity in actions taken by central agencies against opposition leaders compared to the LDF leadership. He emphasized that Modi only raises religious issues when politically beneficial and vowed that if the United Democratic Front (UDF) wins, those responsible for temple-related irregularities will be held accountable. This commentary raises significant questions about the political dynamics in Kerala ahead of the elections.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 30, 2026, 16:29 IST

Gandhi's Strong Remarks Against Modi

Senior Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a fierce critique of Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday, accusing him of remaining silent on the Shabarimala issue during his visit to Kerala. Gandhi suggested that this silence indicates a collaboration between the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Left Democratic Front (LDF).

Speaking at a Congress election rally in Adur, Gandhi, who is the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, claimed that his party is facing a coalition of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the BJP in the upcoming assembly elections scheduled for April 9.

Allegations of BJP's Support for LDF

He stated, "We are contesting against the LDF, which has the full backing of the BJP. On one side is the United Democratic Front (UDF), and on the other is the alliance of CPI(M) and BJP."

Gandhi further alleged that the BJP is covertly working to benefit the LDF in Kerala. He remarked, "The BJP does not want the UDF here because it knows that Congress is the only force capable of challenging it nationally. Our ideological battle is with the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)."

Concerns Over Central Agency Actions

He claimed that while central agencies are taking action against opposition leaders, there is no such pressure on the LDF leadership in Kerala. Gandhi noted, "I have faced 36 cases against me and have been interrogated for 55 hours continuously. However, no action has been taken against the Chief Minister of Kerala or LDF leaders."

Referring to Modi's speech in Palakkad on Sunday, Gandhi pointed out that the Prime Minister often speaks about temples and religion but chose to remain silent on the Shabarimala issue.

Gandhi's Critique of Modi's Religious Rhetoric

He stated, "He forgot to mention Shabarimala. He did not address issues related to the Lord Ayyappa temple. This clearly shows that the BJP and LDF are working together."

The Congress leader also remarked that Modi raises religious issues only when they are politically advantageous. He emphasized, "If it helps them gain votes, they will talk about temples; otherwise, they will remain silent."

Gandhi asserted that if the UDF comes to power, those responsible for alleged irregularities related to temples will be held accountable.