“If they are talking about respecting the nation, first ask them to reclaim the land in Arunachal Pradesh,” he said, alleging that the issue was being ignored despite repeated claims by the government.
Venugopal also accused the BJP of attempting to steer public discourse away from contentious issues, including allegations surrounding funds related to the Ayodhya Ram Temple.
Congress rejects ‘divisive’ politics
The Congress leader alleged that attempts were being made to push genuine public concerns into the shadows by stirring emotions around communalism and casteism.
He further claimed that the government had used force against students to deflect attention from wider issues, saying the Congress would not be drawn into controversies that he alleged were manufactured for political purposes.
Using a proverb-like analogy, Venugopal said that one incident should not be taken as a guarantee that the same chain of events would repeat indefinitely, suggesting that political distractions would not continue to work.
KPCC reshuffle on the cards
On the proposed reshuffle of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), Venugopal acknowledged that incumbent president Sunny Joseph, who is also a minister, had expressed a desire to be relieved of the organisational responsibility.
However, he clarified that Joseph continues to hold the post and that the party would take the final decision.
The Congress is considering changes to the KPCC organisation after several party office-bearers were elected as MLAs or inducted into the state Cabinet following the party’s victory in the recent assembly election.
With PTI inputs
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