Rahul’s CPM-BJP Deal “Laughable” Says Prakash Karat

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Veteran CPM leader Prakash Karat on Thursday criticised the Congress for accusing the LDF of having a deal with the BJP. Speaking at a “Meet the Leader” program in Kochi, Karat said the Congress is unable to take on the BJP and the RSS politically and ideologically. He noted that Rahul Gandhi comes to Kerala and accuses the CPM of having a secret deal with the BJP, calling it “laughable.”

Karat also said the Centre was forced to put the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) Amendment Bill on hold, probably due to widespread protests, particularly in Kerala. He accused the Modi government of issuing the amendment to target NGOs that do not align with its politics.

He said over the last decade, 70 percent of the funding to these organizations has been stopped, or they have been deregistered and disqualified from receiving foreign funding.

The CPM leader mentioned there is "nothing wrong" if the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI) supports the LDF in Kerala "as part of its own tactics." The CPM policy is clear about not having any understanding with organisations that are communal or extremist in character. He added that the CPM has not approached the SDPI to discuss or reach any understanding, unlike the UDF, which has sought the Welfare Party's support in these elections and during the local body polls.