Wed May 21 16:25:54 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text followed by a news article based on it:

**Summary:**

The Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) held a function in Thiruvananthapuram to commemorate the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. KPCC president Sunny Joseph accused the CPI(M) and the LDF government of weakening the Panchayat Raj system through financial cuts and unscientific ward delimitation. AICC general secretary Deepa Dasmunshi called for a united front against the LDF government and stated they had lost the right to govern. Other Congress leaders echoed these sentiments, and similar commemorative events were held across the state.

**News Article:**

**Congress Leaders Criticize Kerala Government on Rajiv Gandhi Death Anniversary**

**THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, May 21, 2025** – On the death anniversary of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi, Congress leaders in Kerala launched a scathing critique of the ruling CPI(M)-led LDF government, accusing them of undermining local self-governance and exhibiting anti-democratic practices.

At a commemorative function held at the KPCC state headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram, KPCC president Sunny Joseph, MLA, alleged that the LDF government has drastically reduced financial allocations to local bodies, thereby weakening the Panchayat Raj system. He further criticized the ongoing ward delimitation process as “unscientific and unilateral,” claiming it favors the ruling party. “The Congress will fight the government’s stand politically and legally,” he vowed.

AICC general secretary Deepa Dasmunshi delivered an even stronger rebuke, asserting that the Pinarayi Vijayan government has “lost the right to remain in power.” She urged a united front among opposition parties to challenge the LDF in the upcoming local body elections and the 2026 Assembly elections.

Echoing these sentiments, LDF convener Adoor Prakash, MP, accused the CPI(M) of attempting to manipulate the local body polls through its biased delimitation of wards. Congress working committee member K. Sudhakaran MP, KPCC working presidents P.C. Vishnunadh, Shafi Parambil, and A.P. Anil Kumar also addressed the gathering.

Functions were organized by Congress committees throughout Kerala to pay homage to the former Prime Minister on his death anniversary, providing a platform for further criticism of the state government’s policies. The Congress party seems to be positioning itself for a strong challenge to the LDF in the upcoming elections, fueled by accusations of anti-democratic governance and neglect of local self-governance institutions.

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