BJP’s youth wing took out a protest march against MP Hibi Eden’s proposal to shift Kerala capital from Thiruvananthapuram to Ernakulam. , Photo credits: Mahinsha S.
TeaThe Congress in Kerala is facing perhaps the worst political crisis in recent times. The party is beset by organizational challenges and appears to have no strategy to counter the ruling CPI(M)-led coalition in the state. It is heavily dependent on the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), its major partner in the United Democratic Front (UDF), for its electoral fortunes in northern Kerala. Moreover, the Congress leadership is struggling to take a firm stand on this Uniform Civil Code (UCC), The party, which was not invited by the CPI(M) to participate in a seminar against the UCC in Kozhikode, was anxiously waiting for the decision of the IUML, which was invited. IUML, being wooed by CPI(M), finally decided not to participate,
A ray of hope arose when the Congress central leadership replaced both the Leader of the Opposition in the Assembly and the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president soon after the party’s humiliating defeat in the 2021 Assembly polls. However, the party has now come to a standstill. Despite the party not being in power, the infighting is on the rise.
In June, the government ordered a preliminary inquiry against opposition leader VD Satheesan for allegedly raising funds from abroad for a rehabilitation project, while the Enforcement Directorate launched a preliminary inquiry into alleged violations of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act. at the end of that month, The police arrested KPCC president K.K. Sudhakaran arrested With regard to the fraud case involving Monson Mavunkal, who is an accused in the Fake Antiquities case. Recently, the party ran into trouble when MP Hibi Eden proposed that the capital of Kerala be shifted from Thiruvananthapuram to his constituency Ernakulam, which is centrally located. This gave the CPI(M) ammunition to attack the Congress. It immediately launched a campaign in Thiruvananthapuram stating that the Congress wanted to shift the capital.
The Congress leadership seems to have ignored the valuable lesson of its defeat in the assembly elections. Former Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala, who could have become chief minister if the UDF came to power, now finds himself fighting the battle alone. He intermittently made corruption allegations against the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, but these efforts failed to translate into votes. An important reason for this was that even people within the Congress party did not trust him. The UDF’s performance in the three-tier local body elections in 2020 suffered a severe blow due to Mr. Chennithala’s inability to prevent the Kerala Congress (Mani) or the KC(M) from leaving the alliance and joining the LDF.
As it appeased the IUML in seat-sharing, the Congress leadership saw its traditional vote share of the Christian and Hindu communities erode. These voters switched allegiance to the CPI(M) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the 2021 assembly elections. Political commentators say that the Congress is still following the same path and further alienating the Nair and Thiya/Ezhava communities.
At the same time, the Congress has been unable to groom young leaders from the Muslim or Christian community. The CPI(M), on the other hand, has inducted second-rate leaders from all communities, ensuring its continued influence.
The Congress leadership has also failed to capitalize on the appeal of prominent figures such as Shashi Tharoor, who struck a chord with the middle class and the younger generation. It has neither held talks with disgruntled constituents within the Left nor made any concerted effort to re-induct the KC(M) into the UDF.
Keeping in mind the changed circumstances since the 2019 Lok Sabha elections in which the UDF won 19 out of 20 seats, it is important for the Congress to navigate the changing political dynamics in Kerala. The alliance partners of the UDF have already expressed their displeasure over the factionalism of the Congress. It is important that Congress leaders address internal issues and show unity to remain relevant for the Lok Sabha elections next year. Only speaking about the CPI(M)’s game plan – especially the change in the party’s stand on the UCC since the 1980s – will give the Congress a better chance in the polls.