India, June 13 -- Veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader former chief minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday (June 13), criticising the latter for his political approach which he claims does not work in favour of the INDIA alliance and instead ends up strengthening rival BJP forces.

The remarks come in the midst of substantial political tension between the two leaders over Rahul's alleged comment that he won't hug Vijayan due to political differences between the pair.

The row first erupted following Rahul's alleged remark at an INDIA bloc meeting where he objected to hugging the former Kerala Chief Minister due to their political rivalry in the state.

"But ...