CPI(M) general secretary M.A. Baby has criticised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks about former Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, urging him not to aid what he described as the BJP-led Centre and the Enforcement Directorate's campaign against opposition leaders.

The criticism follows comments Gandhi made during a June 8 INDIA bloc meeting, where he said he could not “hug” Vijayan due to their ongoing political differences. Left leaders have objected to repeated allegations by Congress during the Kerala Assembly election campaign that suggested a covert understanding between the CPI(M) and the BJP.

Responding to Gandhi’s remarks, Baby said no one was asking the Congress leader to embrace Vijayan politically. Instead, he argued that Gandhi should refrain from demanding action against opposition figures, including Vijayan, and avoid reinforcing narratives advanced by central agencies and the Modi government.

At the INDIA bloc meeting, CPI(M) Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas reportedly raised concerns over Congress leaders’ allegations linking the Left to the BJP. He maintained that such accusations were particularly damaging when made by Gandhi, a prominent face of the opposition alliance.

Ahead of the meeting, Baby had also written to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, expressing concern that such statements undermined the unity and purpose of the INDIA alliance, which was formed to challenge the BJP.