BJP which is
trying to get a firm foothold in South India is finding the prospects of a tie
up with NSS, organization of upper caste Hindu Nairs tantalizing; It is so near
yet too distant. In fact it is natural for centre-right Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP) to tie up with NSS which supports interests of middle class forward caste
Nairs who have always been flag bearers of Hinduism in Kerala. But NSS is found
to be reluctant to openly support BJP.
Possible benefits for both NSS and
BJP
The benefits
of such a tie up are many for both to dismiss. It will definitely give more
acceptability to BJP and pave way for BJP to Kerala assembly. It may even
result in a formation of a new political coalition in Kerala with a prominent
role to BJP, and Perhaps lead by BJP. For NSS which currently finds itself
neglected by traditional ally Congress, a tie up with BJP will help a great
deal. Congress is becoming more dominated by minorities and so NSS needs to find
an alternative political ally. It may help NSS to bargain more benefits for
Nairs in the state and at national level. Yet it is unlikely that NSS may come
out with open support to BJP in any near future.
Let us
examine this complex relationship. To begin with let us examine the role of
Nairs in BJP. It is generally accepted in Kerala that Nairs form the backbone
of Sangh Parivar organizations in Kerala at present. The work of RSS in Kerala
was initially confined to urban areas and migrant communities like Goud
Saraswat Brahmins, Tulu Brahmins and other groups lead it. It was confined to
Migrant communities, especially business communities. RSS did not have much
influence in the society then.
RSS gains foothold in rural Kerala
It was in
the early eighties that Sangh Parivar , especially the RSS, began to gain a
foothold in rural Kerala and Nair youths were in the forefront to give strength
to RSS. A section of middle class Nairs, especially farmers who worked with the
Congress found that at many places Congress has become unable to protect their
interests. It was their clash with CPM that inspired many middle class Nairs to
align with a cadre based RSS rather than clash with minorities.
During the
period, groupism in the Congress had intensified and the party had split into
opposing groups lead by A.K Antony (current union defense minister and former
CM K Karunakaran) Helpless and disgruntled Congressmen, mainly from Nair
community, found a new hope in RSS with its discipline and committed cadres.
1980s saw RSS sakhas mushrooming in all parts of rural Kerala. The period also
saw violent fights between RSS/Sangh Parivar cadres and CPM. Scores of youth
were killed on both sides. In several places in central Kerala, like Kottayam,
Idukki and Parts of Alappuzha district, a small section of upper caste Syrian
Christians who were friendly with Nairs also covertly and overtly supported
RSS.
But even as
Nair youths began to join RSS, NSS (organization of Nairs) during the period
remained firmly allied with Congress. In fact, NDP the political party of NSS
had been an ally of Congress lead United Democratic Front (UDF). Many Congress
and UDF leaders were leaders of NSS also.
Thus it is
clear that the spread of RSS/BJP in Kerala in 1980s was linked to anti-CPM feeling. This
was evident in the fact that during the period votes won by BJP in assembly/Lok
Sabha elections do not reflect the strength of Sangh in Kerala then. It had
been alleged by CPM at that period that many RSS workers used to vote for
Congress in the elections. There were reports that many BJP leaders used to
sell votes to Congress, especially K Karunakaran. There might have been some
truth in it as some RSS/BJP leaders might have been forced to offer support to
Congress in order to save its workers who were charged with cases following
RSS-CPM clashes. The former Congress sympathizers who newly joined Sangh
Parivar were not averse to voting for Nair Congress candidates.
Three things
are to be noted about this complex political situation. 1. RSS/BJP grew in
Kerala and their mass base was constituted by middle class Nair youths who were
formerly Congress sympathizers/workers. 2. Though these Nair youths joined RSS
they did not completely sever ties with Congress. 3. Even as some of the Sangh
Parivar leaders managed to rise to leadership of NSS they either did not try to
take control of NSS or failed to get the control because of the complex
situation. Thus NSS generally remained
with Congress till recently.
Congress stranglehold on NSS
When NDP
(political party of NSS which was powerful in 80s and disbanded by 90s) was disbanded by NSS, NDP leaders were
rehabilitated in Congress. NDP MLAs later contested as Congress candidates. At this point NSS leaders became mentors of Nair
leaders in Congress and thus a new relationship was formed. Congress made certain such leaders ministers
in Kerala and union cabinet and this ensured that NSS-Congress relations is entrenched
at many levels. Thus it is clear that Congress has strangled NSS in many ways
and it is not easy to break out. Nair leaders of congress used to ensure that
NSS supported Congress.
NSS has many
educational and other institutions and need to interact closely with the
governments. It gets influence in ministries through certain ministers
belonging to the community. Heads of different corporations, universities etc
are appointed by different fronts that rule Kerala taking into consideration
views of NSS also. Thus it is clear that ruling governments in Kerala always
take care to protect the interests of NSS to some extent. So it is difficult
for NSS leaderships to come out with open support for BJP which does not have
any chance of forming government in Kerala in near future.
However
despite all these, NSS is being forced to change its age old political stand
because of changing socio-political conditions in Kerala. It had formally severed
ties with Congress recently. Now how will this redefine relationship of NSS
with BJP? We will discuss it in another article.
