Fault lines in the INDIA bloc split wide open in Kerala on Monday after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan of the Communist Party of India (CPI) criticized the Congress party for fielding Rahul Gandhi in Wayanad against the CPI’s Annie Raja. Vijayan deemed this move inappropriate as it goes against the alliance’s aim of taking on the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA). He questioned Rahul Gandhi’s intentions and accused him of having double standards. Vijayan also raised concerns over Rahul Gandhi’s silence on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) during his Bharat Jodo Nyay Yatra. At a campaign rally for Annie Raja, Vijayan expressed his surprise that the Congress party has not taken a stand against central agencies targeting non-Congress opposition leaders. He highlighted Congress’ past involvement in corruption allegations against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi. Vijayan argued that politicians should have the courage to face adversities rather than giving in to them. He emphasized the need for unity within the opposition alliance to effectively challenge the BJP-led NDA. This development has exposed the divisions within the INDIA bloc and raises questions about the strategies and priorities of the political parties involved.