Rahul Gandhi will be backed by SDPI, a branch of the outlawed PFI, in Kerala

With speculations over Rahul Gandhi contesting from Wyanad making the rounds, leaving Amethi amid Smriti Irani’s rising popularity. In a Sting operation Times Now has revealed details of Rahul’s electoral conquest from Southern India.

In the sting operation, it has emerged that Rahul Gandhi will be backed by the controversial Social Democratic party of India (SDPI), which is considered the political arm of the notorious Popular Front of India (PFI). Wayanad, with its exceeding minority population of more than 50 percent is being considered a safe bet for getting Rahul Gandhi to the Lok Sabha. Smriti Irani in the last general elections saw a whopping 28.57 percent increase in BJP’s vote share.

PFI currently under Investigation by the National Investigation Agency (NIA) for various serious charges, was recently banned by the Jharkhand Government over their alleged links with the Islamic State (IS).

“The state has banned the Popular Front of India, which is active in Jharkhand, under the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1908. The Home Department had recommended the ban…The PFI is very active in Pakur district. The members of the PFI, which was set up in Kerala, are influenced by the IS. According to the Home Department report, some PFI members have even gone to Syria from southern states and are working for the IS,” the statement added. The PFI has been banned under section 16 of the Criminal Law Amendment Act, 1908.

Special court for the NIA cases in its judgment dated 20-01-2016 had convicted individuals related to the PFI. The judgment read “A (Accused) 1 to A21 are found guilty for the offences punishable under Section 120(B), 143 r/w 149 of the IPC, Section 5 (1) (a) r/w Section 27 of the Arms Act, Section 4 and 5 of the Explosives Substances Act and Section 18 and 18(A) of the Unlawful Activities (prevention) Act.”

The judgment also read “A1 to A21 were found engaged in arms training inside a building owned by Thanal Foundation a religious and charitable trust run by PFI at Narath”(Pg-11).

 “21 persons belonging to PFI were engaged in the manufacturing of bomb. They were detained on the southern side of the building. On the table one bomb, certain gun powder, glass pieces, string etc. were kept in a gunny bag. The items were used for making country Bomb and by using the same about 2 to 3 bombs can be manufactured using the articles. Fatal bombs and bombs which can be used to destroy buildings can be made. One brick was kept soaked in petrol in a bucket.” (Pg-18).

“Flags belonging to the SDPI were also recovered from the spot.”(Material Object no. 5 , Pg-60)

Recently CCTV visuals of an alleged meeting between the leadership of the Indian Union Muslim League(IUML), a close ally of the Congress in Kerala, and the leaders of the Popular front of India and SDPI had surfaced, which further raise suspicion on Congress taking support of controversial PFI and SDPI for their Party President Rahul Gandhi’s southern electoral detour.

With high stakes in the 2019 general elections, saving political ground seems to have trumped ethics and values. Political Parties rooting for support from extremist entities banned for ‘making bombs’ is surely not going to play well with voters.