Controversy
in Kerala politics on the statement of Nair Service Society General Secretary G
Sukumaran Nair that Kerala chief minister Oommen Chandy had subverted the
appointment of KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala in a key post in the ministry
has taken a new turn with Chennithala and Nair clarifying their stand and other
community leaders joining the issue.
Nair had
also revealed that there had been a pact between Congress high command and NSS
that if a minority member was appointed Kerala chief minister a majority
community member would be given an equally important post in ministry to ensure
communal balance.
SNDP leader
Vellappally Natesan and Dheevara Sabha (organization of Hindu fishermen in
Kerala) leader V Dinakaran have come up with support to Nair conditionally. A
section of Congress leaders meanwhile have lashed out at NSS for its
interference in what they feel as sole prerogative of the Congress. CPM leaders
said NSS general secretary’s statement showed that NSS has become an organization
of Nairs who work in Congress. Some Nair leaders in Congress said NSS has
deteriorated as an organization for raising demands for a single leader (ie
Ramesh Chennithala)
Chennithala’s stand
Ramesh
Chennithala at a press conference clarified that KPCC does not know about a
pact with NSS. Chennithala said Nair should not have dragged my name into his
statements. Without naming any particular organization, Chennithala said religious
and caste leadership in Kerala should not cross the Rubicon while raising their
demands. He said he had clarified his stand that he does not want to join
Kerala cabinet and there was no change in it. In another very important
observation, he said there is an organized move to tarnish his secular
credentials. According to him, he was a staunch congressman who had held
several important posts in the party in Kerala and at national level.
Chennithala
at the same time said Sukumaran Nair has perfect right to publicise his
opinions and Congress does not want to attack him on that aspect.
Sukumaran Nair’s clarification
Reacting to
Chennithala, Nair said Chennithala was forced to make the statements. He
pointed out that the pact NSS made was with Congress high command and not with KPCC.
Sukumaran
Nair rejected allegations that NSS had suggested the name of Ramesh Chennithala
to Congress High Command. According to him it was high command that suggested
Chennithala’s name as a representative of Hindus in Kerala to be posted in a
key position to maintain communal balance. NSS in no way raised its voice for a
single leader. Nair said no political party has the right to force shut the
mouth of leaders of social organizations.
Vellappally
said he is of the opinion that if there was a pact between NSS and Congress it
should have to be honoured. Where were the Congress leaders who demand
restraint from leaders of social organizations when Muslim League demanded fifth
minister? He asked.
Aftermath of the controversy
Meanwhile it
is evident that Oommen Chandy group in the Congress would fortify its defenses
against Chennithala to nip in the bud any aspirations of Chennithala aimed at
chief minister post.
Idukki
district committee of KSU (student organization of Congress) passed a
resolution criticizing NSS and Sukumaran Nair. There had been protests against
Chennithala at some places by unnamed groups. It does not seem that these
groups are isolated incidents. There is a pattern in the reactions against
Chennithala. Suddenly Chennithala’s name has been dragged into a corruption
controversy in defense sector in Kerala.
It is likely
that Chennithala would also step up his efforts to protect his image and
interests. It seems his statement that there is an organized effort to tarnish
his image is aimed at reminding those who secretly plan against him that he has
realized their misadventure and is powerful enough to thwart such moves. His
opponents are likely to include those inside and outside Congress who want to
sideline him.
Meanwhile
those who want to control the bargaining power of Nair Service Society may
devise methods to achieve it. It seems that their usual strategy of Pitching
SNDP against NSS may not work this time as Sukumaran Nair and Vellappally are
in a need based alliance and may not easily part. It is likely that Muslim League
or Kerala Congress (Mani) may not raise their voice against NSS as they are
afraid that it would lead to a Hindu unity.
Perhaps
there will be a move in near future by anti-NSS force to help Dalit organizations
in Kerala form a coalition and raise their demands to curb bargaining power of
NSS.