Archive · 20 Aug 2026
Chennithala urges Opposition to project Rahul Gandhi for 2029
Ramesh Chennithala said opposition parties should make Rahul Gandhi their main leader for the 2029 election.
He said Gandhi understands people and has a vision for India.
Chennithala pointed to the Bharat Jodo Yatra as evidence that Gandhi can bring people together.
He also said many young people are unhappy with the Central Government.
He blamed the BJP for policies that he said hurt public trust in examinations.
Chennithala criticized the reported use of pellet guns and police firing during student protests.
He said Congress supports singing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram.
He also said the Centre should help Kerala fight illegal drugs.
Ramesh Chennithala urged the Opposition alliance to project Rahul Gandhi as its leader for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections.
Chennithala said Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra demonstrated his ability to connect with and enthuse people across India.
He claimed dissatisfaction among young people was growing over the Central Government’s policies and examination system.
He criticized reported police use of pellet guns and firing during student protests in New Delhi.
Chennithala defended Congress’s position on singing only the first two stanzas of Vande Mataram and accused the BJP of creating religious divisions.
- Who
- Ramesh Chennithala, Kerala’s Home Minister and a Congress Working Committee member, made the remarks about Rahul Gandhi and the Opposition alliance.
- What
- Chennithala urged the Opposition to campaign for the 2029 Lok Sabha elections by projecting Rahul Gandhi as its leader.
- When
- The interview was reported on Thursday, August 20; the report does not specify the year.
- Where
- Chennithala spoke in an exclusive PTI Videos interview in New Delhi, while discussing national and Kerala issues.
- Why
- He argued that Gandhi has a vision, has connected with people, and could give the country a new direction.
Congress and Opposition View
BJP and Ruling-Alliance View
Rahul Gandhi’s leadership
Congress and Opposition View
Chennithala said the Opposition can win in 2029 only by projecting Rahul Gandhi as its leader, describing him as visionary and connected with India’s people.
BJP and Ruling-Alliance View
The report does not provide a direct BJP response to Chennithala’s proposal.
Public dissatisfaction
Congress and Opposition View
Chennithala said the Central Government was unpopular and that young people were losing faith in its policies and examination system.
BJP and Ruling-Alliance View
The report does not include the Central Government’s response to these criticisms.
Vande Mataram and religious divisions
Congress and Opposition View
Chennithala said Congress supports singing the first two stanzas and accused the BJP of trying to create religious divisions.
BJP and Ruling-Alliance View
BJP National President Nitin Nabin criticized the Opposition’s position in an X post, calling it the “new Muslim League.”
- Proposed opposition leader
- Rahul Gandhi
- Election discussed
- 2029 Lok Sabha elections
- Speaker
- Ramesh Chennithala, Kerala Home Minister
- Cited example
- The Bharat Jodo Yatra, led by Gandhi from Kanyakumari to Srinagar in 2023
- Student campaign
- Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Chaatron Ki Goonj’ campaign is planned to address students in 800 cities
- Examination controversy
- The National Testing Agency cancelled NEET examinations on May 12 after an alleged paper leak surfaced on May 3
- Kerala anti-drug initiative
- Operation Toofan, involving intelligence and information sharing among southern states