Kerala Minister Calls Congress Leader KC Venugopal a "Trojan Horse" for BJP Amid Political Row

V Sivankutty alleged that Venugopal's ultimate objective is to establish favorable conditions for the BJP in Kerala.

Thiruvananthapuram:

Kerala CPI(M) leader and state minister V Sivankutty launched a fierce attack against AICC general secretary K C Venugopal on Friday, describing him as a "Trojan horse" deployed by the BJP to undermine the Congress party.

Following Venugopal's claim that Kerala's Left government was operating according to the BJP central government's directives, Sivankutty retaliated against the Congress leader, accusing him of providing "wrong advice" to Lok Sabha Opposition Leader Rahul Gandhi.

While speaking to reporters in New Delhi, Venugopal claimed that the Left government attempted to implement the central government's Labour Code despite concerns expressed by pro-Left trade unions, including CITU and AITUC.

He also referenced the recent signing of the PM SHRI project by the Left government, describing such actions as highly condemnable.

Facing strong opposition from its major coalition partner, the CPI, the CPI(M)-led government decided last month to suspend the implementation of the Centre's PM SHRI scheme in the state, shortly after signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in New Delhi.

Responding to these allegations, Sivankutty told media in Thiruvananthapuram that Venugopal is "the great leader who deliberately gave up" his Rajya Sabha candidature to ensure a BJP majority in the Upper House.

"By providing Rahul Gandhi with incorrect advice, he is executing a strategy that weakens the Congress in every election-bound state. Rather than strengthening the party, he is attempting to destroy it," alleged Sivankutty, who manages both the Labour and Education portfolios in Pinarayi Vijayan's government.

"Even when central investigative agencies have targeted Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, one must question why K C Venugopal — the organizational general secretary leading the Congress — remains completely untouched. This proves an active internal connection between him and the BJP," the CPI(M) leader alleged.

He further claimed that Venugopal's next goal is to prepare favorable conditions for the BJP in Kerala.

"Every Congress worker and leader must recognize this maneuver, through which he is undermining his own party," Sivankutty alleged, referring to Venugopal's frequent involvement in Kerala politics.

The Left government in Kerala recently found itself in a challenging position after a draft regulation connected to the Centre's Labour Codes—introduced three years ago—came to public attention.

Left parties have consistently opposed these labour codes at the national level, labeling them as "anti-worker." However, the draft regulation had already been notified in the state on December 14, 2021.

Following media reports, Sivankutty was compelled to issue a clarification on Thursday, stating that the Centre's Labour Codes would not be implemented in Kerala.