Annie Raja's Insights: Wayanad's Hotly Contested Election and Political Dynamics

Rahul Gandhi's main opponent in Wayanad, where the Congress leader prevailed by more over 4 lakh votes in 2019, is Annie Raja of the CPI. This election is predicted to be hotly contested, in contrast to the previous five years when Rahul's presence in Kerala helped the Congress-led United Democratic Front win 19 of the state's 20 Lok Sabha seats. Annie is the general secretary of the party's National Federation of Indian Women.

The CPI chief, a well-known figure in nationwide protests, took a break from her campaign to talk with The Telegraph in Wayanad.

Who of the INDIA bloc partners, the Congress and the LDF, ought to have withdrawn to prevent a straight fight in Wayanad?
During the INDIA bloc's formative years, the ground reality of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and United Democratic Front (UDF), competing coalitions in Kerala, was deliberated. It's a state-specific configuration. The leaders of the INDIA (bloc) chose not to interfere with that.

The greatest threat to all secular parties is the rise of communal fascism. Therefore, it had become essential for Left-secular parties to unite in order to confront the communal fascists.

I launched my campaign on March 1st, and a few days after, the UDF selected Rahul as its candidate. The primary opponent should have been considered by their national leadership.

What, in your opinion, made the Congress insist on Rahul's nomination in Wayanad?
I see the Congress's political insolvency in all of this. By running against an ally from INDIA, its national leadership has essentially given the BJP a stick.

Rahul Gandhi was given seats in states dominated by the Congress in order to avoid this struggle. Rahul Gandhi has full responsibility for this. He had the option to decide not to run in Wayanad. To oppose fascism, you embark on a Bharat Jodo Yatra, but afterward, you fight those who support you.

It has been said that a number of Congressmen have adopted a mild Hindutva stance in other states. What is your opinion of the Kerala Congress, which is frequently charged with siding with the Center against the LDF government?
There is no denying that some of its leaders do have a somewhat Hindutva viewpoint. When the state was denied its fair share of grants, taxes, and loan entitlements, its leaders in Kerala did not defend the state.

Is it because the Kerala Congress perceives itself as an isolated entity disconnected from the realities of the country?
They consider Kerala to be a separate nation. They are unaware of the atrocities caused by the rise of fascism. It is the duty of the national leadership to enlighten them if they are unaware of this. Even Rahul Gandhi was caught in that trap.

The Centre provided an old-age pension of Rs 200 for these 76 years. To make it Rs 1,600, the state is contributing Rs 1,400, but even that is insufficient.

Did you think of running against Shashi Tharoor from Thiruvananthapuram?
Thrissur, Wayanad, and Thiruvananthapuram were the first places my name was associated with. They were only conjecture in the media.

Kerala will cast its ballot on April 26.