On June 27 and 28, a two-day study camp of the BJP’s Kattakkada Assembly constituency committee was held at the Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Development Studies in Neyyar Dam, Kerala, triggering a political controversy. The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has sought an explanation from the officials in charge of the institute, which is owned by the Congress party. The camp, inaugurated by BJP state vice-president R. Sreelekha, has drawn sharp criticism from Congress workers, who questioned how a party institution could be made available for a BJP programme. The KPCC General Secretary has formally sought an explanation from those managing the institute, and disciplinary action is likely once the explanation is examined. The institute’s officials have defended their decision, maintaining that the hall is routinely rented out to various organisations irrespective of political affiliation. The institute was established during the tenure of Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala as KPCC president to serve as the Congress party’s official centre for research and policy formulation. The CPI(M) has also joined the issue, saying this is an example of a tacit understanding between the BJP and the Congress.
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📰 Source: Siasat Gulf