Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan issued a stark warning on Thursday, stating that the state's hard-earned secular credentials are under serious threat. He pointed to the recent victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation elections as concrete proof of this danger.
Congress Blamed for BJP's Political Rise
In a strongly-worded address at a news conference, the veteran Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader squarely held the Congress responsible for the BJP's ascendance in the capital city's civic body. Vijayan asserted that the Congress has once again demonstrated its willingness to align with communal and retrograde elements for the sake of "a few votes and four seats."
He reiterated the CPM's longstanding narrative that BJP candidates won primarily at the expense of the Congress, suggesting a deliberate or tactical weakening of the secular front. Vijayan framed this development not as a simple electoral shift but as evidence of "underhand deals" between the two parties.
A History of Secret Alliances and Political Corruption
"Despite talking highly of secularism, Congress and UDF engaged in underhanded political deals with BJP in the past. We cannot accept such political corruption. CPM cannot be that cheap," the Chief Minister declared. He referenced a tested alliance between the Congress, Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), and BJP during the Vadakara Lok Sabha and Beypore assembly elections, claiming it is still operational.
Vijayan noted, however, that this alliance "did not yield the desired results. People were cautious enough to veto that tie-up." His comments reflect deep concern over a potential realignment of political forces that could bypass the Left Democratic Front (LDF).
A Call for Societal Vigilance to Protect Kerala's Distinction
The CM expressed serious doubts about new political developments that could tarnish the distinctive progressive image Kerala has built over decades. He called for societal introspection, urging people to examine where vigilance against communal forces is being lost.
Vijayan warned that the entry of regressive forces into the corridors of power could strip the state of the unique social freedom and distinction it has maintained. "If the society fails to resist the communal and regressive forces, Kerala society could lose its secular credentials," he cautioned, framing the issue as a critical juncture for the state's future identity.
The statement from the Chief Minister sets a confrontational tone for the upcoming political battles in Kerala, positioning the CPM as the sole unwavering guardian of secular politics against what it portrays as a corrupt and opportunistic Congress-BJP understanding.
