According to a My Nation report, there is speculation that Kerala’s ruling Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Congress are all set for a “tactical alliance”. The report states that the Kerala Congress chief Mullapally Ramachandran, during a public meeting, said that the Congress party is ready to come to the table with the Kerala unit of CPM in order to stitch up a ‘secular front’ and fight fascism. He also said that however, the election strategy
My Nation has quoted MLA PC George saying, “The Congress has said that if the CPI(M) assures non-violence in the state, the party would throw its doors open for an alliance. A decision would be taken after the committee meeting. Both the parties want Rahul Gandhi as the PM.”
The Congress and the CPM are arch-rivals for years. It seems that both the rivals are uncomfortable about the BJP’s enormous rise in Kerala in recent times, and now they seem to be planning to embrace Bengal like model in the state. The Communists and the Congress contested West Bengal state assembly elections in alliance, and there are rumors that they are planning to ally in the state for Lok Sabha elections also. And now there are speculations that they are allying in Kerala also. It seems that Hindu resistance in Kerala is what forcing them to do this.
The BJP leader Sreedharan Pillai said, “The CPI(M) and the Congress are now in an embarrassing position. The Communist party is confined only to Kerala now. The possibility of their alliance clearly shows that they are afraid of the BJP and this will be an unholy alliance in Kerala.”
However, Congress leader KC Venugopal rubbished the reports of an alliance. He said, “Presently, I don’t think the alliance would take place between the parties. But, both the parties’ priority is to defeat the BJP in the state. Already UDF and LDF are fighting. But, when it comes to the national level, the picture is different. It also depends on the post-election scenario.”
Speaking to MyNation, Palakkad CPI(M) MP, MB Rajesh also denied the reports of alliance and termed the Congress and the BJP as the arch rivals of the CPI(M) in Kerala. He said, “There is no question of CPM aligning with the Congress.” Rajesh further added that defeating BJP in the state is their priority and also said, “We want a secular government at the Centre. Depending on the results, the post-poll scenario will definitely be thought about.”
Both the Congress and CPM are scared of BJP’s rise in the state. In Kerala, the BJP and the RSS have made deep inroads in recent years. During the Kerala floods, many RSS workers lost their lives while rescuing the people. The Central government of the BJP also extended help to flood-ravaged Kerala with all the quickness. Even Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan also lauded the relief work initiated by the central government led by PM Modi and has appreciated his positive responses.
For more details: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan thanks PM Modi for center’s aid during Kerala floods
The BJP and RSS are also supporting the ongoing protest in Kerala against the Supreme Court’s recent verdict on the Sabarimala Temple issue. The judgment on Sabarimala temple from the SC has proved to be a blessing in disguise as it has united men and women from all the sections of the Hindus in the state. The dream of RSS to have united Hindu voter base is not very far from becoming a reality and also the days of communists in Kerala are numbered. The BJP will surely open its account in the upcoming general elections in Kerala. In 2014 general elections, the BJP got 10.3% vote share but it failed to win a single seat. In the 2016 state assembly elections, the BJP got 15.10% vote share and won 1 seat. The BJP has done a lot of groundwork in these years and the vote share in the upcoming general elections would only register increase and would also translate into seats as well. The southern state is very important for the BJP. The BJP has paid a lot of attention to Kerala. Kerala has representation in PM Modi cabinet. Alphons Joseph Kannanthanam from Kottayam is currently serving as the Union Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Culture, and Tourism, in office since 3 September 2017.