‘Kerala is developed, why is West Bengal not?’ Boy asks Rahul as he remains silent | WATCH

A question posed by a young attendee comparing development in Kerala with conditions in West Bengal sparked controversy at a Congress event in Kochi on Monday. A video of the incident has since gone viral, with netizens pointing out that senior party leaders avoided addressing governance issues in Bengal.

During an interaction session at a Mahapanchayat of newly elected Congress local body representatives, the boy asked why Kerala appeared more developed while West Bengal was “so ghisa hua” (run-down). The question, directed at senior Congress leader and Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, was asked in Hindi.

The exchange led to commotion, with a section of the crowd visibly objecting to the use of Hindi rather than Malayalam. Rahul Gandhi did not directly respond to the question, prompting claims on social media that the Congress was reluctant to criticise West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s government.

Supporters of the boy argued that the question was addressed to Gandhi, who understands Hindi, and said the issue was deflected rather than answered. The incident quickly became a flashpoint online.

Later in his address, Gandhi accused the BJP and the RSS of attempting to centralise power and silence dissent, asserting that the Congress stood for decentralisation and the strengthening of grassroots democracy. He said protecting the Constitution also meant safeguarding local self-government and the voice of citizens. Drawing a contrast, he said the BJP and RSS sought compliance, while the Congress believed in empowering people through democratic institutions.

Gandhi criticised the BJP-led Centre for undermining the Panchayati Raj system and alleged that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) was being targeted because it functioned through local self-government bodies and ensured minimum wages for the poorest.

He also indirectly criticised the CPM-led Left Democratic Front government in Kerala, highlighting the state’s unemployment problem and urging the Congress-led United Democratic Front to present a clear vision ahead of the Assembly elections. While expressing pride in Keralites working across the world, Gandhi said migration driven by joblessness at home was a matter of concern.

Referring to a conversation with veteran Malayalam writer M. Leelavathy, Gandhi spoke of a “culture of silence” and alleged that ideological forces were attempting to suppress dissent to concentrate wealth. He maintained, however, that the people of Kerala could not be silenced and would express themselves through the democratic process.