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, sparking 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 institute’s hall was rented out to the BJP, with the camp being inaugurated by BJP state vice-president and former IPS officer R. Sreelekha. This move has drawn sharp criticism from Congress workers, who are questioning 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, saying that the hall is routinely rented out to various organisations irrespective of political affiliation. The Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Development Studies was established during the tenure of present Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala as KPCC president to serve as the Congress party’s official centre for research, policy formulation and political education. The institute has traditionally hosted Congress leadership meetings, training camps, seminars and strategy sessions. The CPI(M) has also joined the issue, stating that this is an example of a tacit understanding between the BJP and the Congress.
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📰 Source: Siasat Gulf