Nair Service
Society general secretary G Sukumaran Nair’s statement that Congress leader and
Indian Defense Minister A K Antony’s suggestion to make Ramesh Chennithala home
minister of Kerala had been subverted,’ has created uproar in Kerala politics.
Nair made
the statement in an interview given to Malayala Manorama news channel on January 4, 2013. Kerala
home minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan in a reply to Nair said he did not know that Antony had
given such a suggestion. Thiruvanchoor added that after becoming the home
minister he had tried to contact Sukumaran Nair but could not.
Oommen
Chandy had earlier divested the home portfolio which he held initially and
handed it over to Thiruvanchoor known as his confidante. This followed
allegations that majority Hindus in Kerala are not adequately represented in
Kerala cabinet. In this context Thiruvanchoor was given home portfolio. Incidentally
both Thiruvanchoor and Chennithala belong to Nair community. Sukumaran Nair had
protested against the decision at that time itself.
There had
been suggestions at that time that Chennithala who is KPCC president should be
made deputy chief minister with home portfolio. Sukumaran Nair said Oommen
Chandy gave home to Thiruvanchoor to sideline Chennithala.
Nair’s
statement is likely to create further headache to Kerala chief minister Oommen
Chandy who is facing the allegation of yielding to pressure of Muslim League
and Christian dominated Kerala Congress while selecting ministers. Muslim
League had been give a fifth minister in the cabinet recently following their persistent
demand. All key portfolios like finance, industries, PWD etc are now being
handled by Muslim League and Kerala Congress.
Hindu organizations
in Kerala like Nair Service Society and SNDP Yogam are now raising the complaint
that Hindus in Kerala are getting a raw deal. Majority of MLAs of ruling United
Democratic Front are non Hindus.
Following
Sukumaran Nair’s statement many congress leaders in Kerala have issued. MM
Hassan said it was for Antony to verify Sukumaran Nair’s statement.
Nair’s
statement points to a few things. Nair community in Kerala is now having a
complaint that it is being sidelined by Congress. Nairs have the feeling that
minorities now dominate Congress in Kerala. Nairs used to vote for Congress en
block earlier. Now it seems some of them are going to BJP and even CPM which
once Nairs opposed.
In the
coming days strife between Nairs and Ezhavas on one side and Muslim League and
Kerala Congress on the other side would happen in the ruling Congress lead
United Democratic front. Kerala. Kerala’s political equilibrium would change
drastically.
One should
read all this with A.K Antony’s statement at Mannam Janayanthi celebrations. He
said that Kerala’s communal harmony has lost its warmth.
Ramesh Chennithala has proven his organizational skills many times over right from the student union days to youth congress to the oldy congress, equally well. His organizational skills was one of the single most reasons why congress in kerala still remains strong. He must be given better responsibilities now, to not only get his services to the development of the state but also to give others in KPCC leadership to develop and come up. He can even be considered for a cabinet post at the centre or charge of some of the national electioneering work. Side-lining him is NOT good for congress in Kerala or at the national level.
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