Kozhikode: No ED has grown big enough to tarnish the image of Rahul Gandhi, said senior Congress leader K. Muraleedharan. On Thursday, he said that the Congress does not fear the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which functions like a central branch of the BJP. “Kerala is the only non-BJP state where the ED does not act recklessly. It is due to the secret understanding between the BJP and Pinarayi, who is a half-BJP, half-CPM Ardhanareeswara (a half-male, half-female deity),” said Muraleedharan. “In other states, the ED harasses Chief Ministers regularly,” he added.

While speaking to reporters, he said that the scuffle between Congress leaders during the DCC office inauguration ceremony at Kozhikode brought disrepute to the party. “Every move of the party leaders is being watched by the public. One should not forget that. Leaders and workers should remain vigilant regarding this situation,” he said.

Muraleedharan said that the new DCC office building is a symbol of pride for the ordinary party workers. He recalled that back in 1992, he had envisioned constructing a similar building, but due to an ongoing legal case at the time, that dream could not materialise. He also mentioned that his absence from the DCC office inauguration ceremony should not be turned into a controversy, as he had earlier informed that he could not attend due to illness.

Muraleedharan criticised the BJP threat against Rahul Mamkootathil, calling it an expression of the BJP’s narrow-minded mentality. “The threat should not be taken seriously. If things were to be taken to that level, no BJP leader would be able to walk properly. There is no point in showing their frustration against the MLA regarding their defeat in the election by around 18,000 votes,” Muraleedharan said.

“BJP is a party which shows intolerance towards the Christians outside Kerala. Now, BJP finds itself in a difficult position regarding the Munambam land issue following the visit of a central minister. They would find it hard to justify their actions outside Kerala to the Christians. A priest was beaten up by RSS activists in Jabalpur, and the Central Government prevented the procession in connection with Palm Sunday in a Delhi church. An article was published targeting Christian properties in the RSS mouthpiece ‘Organiser’. If the RSS agenda were to be implemented, the backward class people among the Hindus would be the most affected group,” Muraleedharan said. He called this a sign of creeping upper-caste dominance.

Commenting on the controversy involving Divya S. Iyer, Muraleedharan said the Chief Minister suddenly became very vocal about womanhood. He reminded the CM that the mother who had to witness her son, T.P. Chandrasekharan, being killed with 51 wounds is also a woman, and so is K.K. Rema, who was widowed. “Those who don’t respect such womanhood cannot be justified in blessing their own loyalists.”

“I don’t need the certificate of Pinarayi Vijayan or K.K. Ragesh regarding my mindset. I will speak out whenever I feel so. Regardless of whether someone is a man or woman, what needs to be said will be said,” Muraleedharan said. He stated that he would not support any violation of civil service rules by anyone.

Muraleedharan also spoke about the Nilambur by-election. He said that the UDF will move forward unitedly in the election.