Alappuzha/Idukki/Kochi, April 5 -- Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Saturday claimed Kerala chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan was aligned with forces behind the alleged attacks on minorities in Manipur and Chhattisgarh. Meanwhile, Vijayan termed Gandhi's remarks "ignorant and an instance of excessive rhetoric." Gandhi's remarks on attacks on minorities come amid concerns expressed by sections of the Christian community over proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, which seek stricter monitoring of foreign funds. Speaking at a rally in Alappuzha ahead of the April 9 assembly election in the state, Gandhi alleged that minorities were facing widespread attacks in different parts of the country. "Two nuns from here were attacked in Chhattisgarh. In Manipur, churches were burnt. The chief minister has a partnership with the people who are doing this. The very people who are attacking minorities-Muslims, Christians and Sikhs-have a partnership with the CM," he alleged, adding that the BJP and LDF have a nexus in the polls to defeat the UDF. "How can the chief minister stand with them? How can he not be ashamed after his Left training? He is aligned with this force," the Congress leader said, adding that Vijayan must answer to the people of Kerala. He also directly targeted Vijayan, alleging that the CM was "afraid" of PM Narendra Modi to protect his children, alluding to the Exalogic case allegedly involving the CM's daughter. Vijayan said Gandhi had forgotten the Congress's role in enabling legal provisions that are now being "misused" against minorities in BJP-ruled states. "The law under which the nuns were arrested in Chhattisgarh was retained by the then Congress government. Would the Congress be willing to repeal similar laws in states where it is in power,"said Vijayan....