You can hug Modi, but not Pinarayi? CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby asks Rahul Gandhi

Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] general secretary M.A. Baby on Saturday (June 13, 2026) launched a sharp attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of double standards and indirectly aiding the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Union government’s actions against opposition party leaders.

Responding to Rahul Gandhi’s reported remarks at a recent INDIA bloc meeting that he “cannot hug former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan” due to ongoing political differences, Mr. Baby said no one had asked Mr. Gandhi to embrace the Kerala leader in the first place. “Nobody is asking Mr. Gandhi to hug Mr. Vijayan. On the contrary, all that we are asking is that he stop being a facilitator for the Enforcement Directorate and the Modi government by demanding the arrest of Mr. Vijayan and other opposition leaders. That is not the job of the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha,” Mr. Baby told mediapersons in Thrissur on the sidelines of a, EMS Smriti (memorial) event.

He further criticised Mr. Gandhi for allegedly creating conditions that enabled Central agencies to target opposition figures. “Mr. Gandhi should not become a person who facilitates the hunting of opposition leaders by Central agencies on behalf of the Narendra Modi government,” he said.

Mr. Baby took a swipe at Mr. Gandhi’s old gesture in Parliament of hugging the Prime Minister. “The country has seen Mr. Gandhi running up to hug Mr. Modi in Parliament. If he can embrace a Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) leader like Mr. Modi, how is it that he cannot do the same with Mr. Vijayan, citing political differences?” Mr. Baby asked.

Political dignity

Mr. Baby also emphasised the need for maintaining political dignity within the INDIA alliance, noting that constituent parties often competed against each other in various States. “There are political norms and standards that should be upheld while making criticisms. Leaders at the national level should exercise restraint and maintain decorum,” he said, adding that criticism should not cross the boundaries of mutual respect.

Rejecting allegations of any understanding between the CPI(M) and the BJP, Mr. Baby termed such claims as “baseless.” He also asserted that no other party had fought the BJP as consistently as the CPI(M).

Cong. ties with DMK

Referring to INDIA alliance dynamics, Mr. Baby pointed out that the Congress had benefited from its partnership with the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in Tamil Nadu. “The Congress secured five seats as part of the DMK-led alliance and even obtained a Rajya Sabha seat through its support,” he noted, adding that such cooperation should be acknowledged with due respect.

Criticising Congress’s link with Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) in Tamil Nadu, Mr. Baby cautioned against excessive hunger for power.

Viswam calls for introspection

Speaking at the event, Communist Party of India (CPI) State secretary Binoy Viswam called for serious introspection within the Left following the recent electoral setback in Kerala. “Minority communities once saw communists as their protectors. They stood with us, but not anymore. We should examine why they moved away,” he said.

Calling for corrective measures, Mr. Viswam said the Left should rebuild lost connections. “We should learn from this defeat. The bridge that has temporarily collapsed should be rebuilt. We lost because those who were once close to us voted differently,” he added.