Rahul Gandhi alleges PM Modi wants LDF to win Assembly elections in Kerala
Kannur (Kerala) (PTI): Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi wants the ruling LDF to win the Assembly elections in Kerala.
Addressing an election rally here, Gandhi reiterated his charge that the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is fighting the combined forces of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the BJP.
Two former CPI(M) leaders — V Kunhikrishnan and T K Govindan — who are contesting as independents with the support of the UDF, were also present on the stage.
“This election is a fight between two ideologies — that of the Left Front led by CPI(M) and that of the UDF. For the first time, we are seeing a partnership between the BJP and the Left Front,” he said.
He said that it is quite surprising that a Left party is aligning with an extreme Right party, because they have diametrically opposite ideologies.
“So the question is, how is it possible that a Left party combines with a Right party? This is like a puzzle,” Gandhi said.
“Some answers to the puzzle are sitting on the stage. There are two veteran leaders from CPI(M) here today. Why are they sitting on our stage and not campaigning for CPI(M) and the chief minister?” he asked.
Gandhi alleged that what is today called the Left Front is no longer a Left or even a centrist formation.
“In fact, they are partnering with the BJP because they are corporate parties. They are no longer parties of the people. The proof is sitting on the stage now. People with Left-minded thinking are with the Congress, and the party is supporting them,” he said.
Questioning the BJP’s stand in Kerala, Gandhi said that while the prime minister speaks about religion, temples and God elsewhere, he does not raise the Sabarimala gold loss issue in the state.
He alleged that CPI(M) leaders were involved in the gold loss at Sabarimala and accused the BJP of remaining silent on the issue.
“The so-called defender of Hinduism does not speak about Sabarimala when he comes to Kerala. He wants the Left Front to win the election in the state,” Gandhi said.
He further said that Left leaders contesting elections as independents with the support of the UDF show that the CPI(M) is no longer a true Left party.
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IndiGo appoints William Walsh as new CEO
New Delhi (PTI): The country's largest airline IndiGo on Tuesday announced the appointment of former British Airways chief William Walsh as new CEO.
Walsh, an airline industry veteran, is currently the Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Announcing the appointment of Walsh as the CEO, subject to regulatory approvals, IndiGo, in a release, said his tenure at IATA comes to a close on July 31 and is expected to join no later than August 3.
The announcement comes less than three weeks after the sudden exit of IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers.
Walsh, popularly known as Willie, was formerly CEO of British Airways and IAG (International Airlines Group, a holding company, which owns Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Level and Vueling).
"As we enter a new phase of transformation and growth, I am delighted to welcome Willie to IndiGo.
"He is an iconic and accomplished aviation leader, and brings a rare combination of global perspective, operational expertise of having built strong customer-focused airlines, deep industry experience and a values-driven leadership, making him exceptionally suited to lead IndiGo at this pivotal cusp of growth," IndiGo Managing Director Rahul Bhatia said.
