V D Satheesan’s Political Career a Gift from RSS: Minister M B Rajesh

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Local Self-Government Minister M B Rajesh has said that the parliamentary career of Opposition Leader V D Satheesan is itself a gift from the RSS. Rajesh alleged that Satheesan had sought and received support from RSS leaders in Paravur during the 2001 and 2006 elections, a fact that, he said, has been openly acknowledged by the RSS. Satheesan, the minister added, has neither denied nor rejected these claims so far.

Reacting to Satheesan’s allegation that the Chief Minister has links with the RSS, Rajesh said the charge was laughable. He accused Satheesan of having lit a lamp and bowed before the portrait of RSS ideologue M S Golwalkar. While Satheesan may be indebted to the RSS for his political career, Rajesh said, the lives of Pinarayi Vijayan and other communists have been defined by a continuous struggle against the RSS.

Rajesh said Pinarayi Vijayan and the communist movement have confronted the RSS head-on since the days of the Thalassery riots. He urged Satheesan to read the Vithayathil Commission report, which, according to him, clearly records who protected minorities during the riots. The minister further alleged that then Chief Minister A K Antony had confined his own cabinet colleague P K Kunhalikutty to a guest house under RSS pressure before visiting the site of the Marad violence. In contrast, Rajesh said, Pinarayi Vijayan went to the spot along with V K C Mammad Koya, refusing to yield to such pressure.

The minister also claimed that the Congress leadership, including Satheesan, is now surrounded by individuals who once guarded RSS shakhas and openly praise Prime Minister Narendra Modi. From Mathur to Maharashtra, and from the panchayat level to the Congress Working Committee, Rajesh said, it has become increasingly difficult to distinguish between the Congress and the BJP.