Exclusive insights from Kerala Sangeetha Natak Academy Secretary who sheds light on the state’s political dynamics
Karivellur Murali, Secretary, Kerala Sangeet Nataka Academy, Department of Cultural Affairs, Government of Kerala. Pic/Atul Kamble
BJP has unleashed a hate campaign against the LDF government in Kerala. Despite Prime Minister Modi’s repeated visits to the state, the saffron party will not make it in the polls, says Karivellur Murali, Secretary, Kerala Sangeetha Natak Academy, Department of Cultural Affairs, speaking in an exclusive conversation with mid-day at the academy office in Thrissur, he touches on different issues in Kerala.
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Murali spoke about the resolute of the state, highlighting the infrastructure development over the years. He further shared how the government has helped citizens affected by sea erosion.
What are some key factors contributing to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan's effectiveness and efficiency in leading Kerala?
Infrastructure in Kerala faces challenges due to its elongated geography, yet it boasts extensive roadways and connectivity even in remote villages. Sea erosion victims have been provided housing, albeit with some delays due to financial constraints.
Kerala Sangeet Nataka Academy
Kerala, despite being financially strained, remains resilient, with the Left government making significant progress since 2016. However, the state grapples with its share of GST and neglect in railway development, amidst Central government indifference. This neglect reflects a broader trend of central power undermining state autonomy and perpetuating misinformation, exemplified by the debunked Kerala Story film.
Is this a failure of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan?
He's the most active and capable chief minister in the state, completing major projects like the GAIL Kochi-Mangaluru natural gas pipeline and resuming the National Highway project. Kerala is the only state in India to pay 25 per cent of road-building compensation and excels in food distribution and education, with mortality rates comparable to Europe's. We have nearly 150 educational institutions at par with international standards for public education
Does the BJP have a chance?
None at all. The BJP has zero chances of winning in Kerala in any of the 20 constituencies. It is running a Hate Kerala campaign in Kerala. The party is spending a lot of money on canvassing, spreading lies, and dividing people on religion, and yet the result after the polls will be a zero. There is no doubt about it.
What is the perspective of the agrarian community on the BJP's campaign promises?
The agrarian community is completely against the BJP which thrives on lies. Trusting its campaign promises is risky. History shows shifts in power, like the Janata Party's faltering and Congress's decline after the emergency. Despite a strong start, the BJP's support is limited to 31 per cent.
Which party will win in Kerala?
The Lok Sabha polls differ from Assembly polls due to the absence of strong national leadership, particularly evident in the Congress. This contrasts with the era of leaders like Nehru and Kamaraj who maintained federal unity. The recent incident where the Congress discouraged the display of Indian Union Muslim League flags at a rally addressed by Rahul Gandhi reflects the party's weakening grip, Earlier there were defections like Raman Nair, KS Radhakrishnan, and Pramila Devi. Notably, individuals like CS Raghunathan have switched to BJP, indicating a shift in political allegiance.
What are the changing perceptions surrounding Suresh Gopi's entry into Lok Sabha politics in 2019?
When Cinew star Suresh Gopi contested the Lok Sabha polls for the first time in 2019, he was able to make a little difference with his presence. That is no longer there. Suresh Gopi has now become a ‘comedian’. At first, he tried to woo the Christian minorities by placing a golden crown on the statue of Mother Mary in a church. He lives in Thiruvananthapuram. There are many from Thiruvananthapuram to Thrissur. Could he not have placed the crown in one of those churches? But the fact he decided to come to a church in Thrissur is revealing. Voters can now see through their candidates.
What's the perception of Rahul Gandhi in Indian politics?
Like the word, evergreen, Rahul Gandhi will always remain the future PM candidate and hope for India. He cannot be the prime minister simply because he does not take responsibility. Let alone the fact that the Congress does not have a national-level leader. Rahul Gandhi, as the MP, has visited his constituency in Wayanad less than 20 times in 5 years. This is a massive defeat of the constituency. Is he doing anything on the national level? All the time we hear and read, he is travelling abroad.
What is the role of the Left (LDF) in politics today?
The Citizenship Amendment Act first came in 1951 and had nine amendments. For the first time, it was understood during the BJP rule that religion is the foundation of CAA. Why did the Congress vote against it? It is supposed to be standing with the minorities. The only vote against it came from the Left in Kerala. Take for instance the Shaheenbaugh case and, the Bilkis Bano case —all these had only members from the Left backing it like Brinda Karat and Subhashini Ali. This is a fact. It does not matter if there is one or many supporting the deserving.
BJP’s chances of electoral win
None at all. The BJP has zero chances of winning in Kerala in any of the 20 constituencies. It is running a Hate Kerala campaign in Kerala. The party is spending a lot of money on canvassing, spreading lies, and dividing people on religion and yet the result after the polls will be a zero. There is no doubt about it.
‘BJP has unleashed a hate campaign against the LDF government in Kerala. Despite Prime Minister Modi’s repeated visit to the State, the saffron party will not make it in the polls,’ he said.
BJP is a whirlwind
The agrarian community is completely against the BJP and is disheartened with the party. If it goes ablaze with this issue, the I.N.D.I.A front has bright chances. This is a party has thrives on telling lies. We cannot trust what it says during the election campaign and have to see what happens when it wins. Janata Party came to power in 1977-78 but then faltered. Congress were in power in all the states and the Centre since 1947 and was strong for 30 years, slipped after the Emergency in 1977 and was never again able to regain former glory. In the first decade of its rule, the BJP stood firm but stands with a 31 per cent majority.
Dynastic politics and the BJP
The term dynastic politics largely refers to the Congress and Nehru family but is it valid today? What the party is doing is washing machine politics—giving a space to people who are corrupt in the BJP. Congressman A K Antony’s son is in the BJP today. There is a lot for his son to hide. It is laughable. No respect or importance was given to Antony, so what is there to discuss about his son in the BJP now?! Karunakaran’s daughter has moved to the BJP. All these are linked to financial irregularities. This is the issue with the Congress, actually. Corruption is the issue.
Why Hindutva won't stand as a party plank?
The party has no love for religion or caste. It is a mask under which it aspires for national gains. Hindutva is about many regional castes and languages —it is difficult to pull all of them along. The country’s wealth rests with 5 percent of the population and this has happened in the decade of the BJP’s rule. Ambani, Adani, for instance—crony capitalists benefit and to hide that, the government uses the gods and religion to fool the people.
India’s future
The BJP is a temporary phase in India’s politics. Narendra Modi is a sub-standard leader. Hitler, Mussolini were string leaders but did not stand beyond 25 years. You cannot torture people and go ahead for long. Indira Gandhi announced Emergency and arrested leading political leaders. But what happened later? So that is the fate awaiting the BJP, too. Religion is being abandoned globally. We are all the same humanly. Religion is only 3000 or 4000 year-old. It is not going to last forever. Are all marriages now being held with caste and religion in mind in the tech age? Marriages are made with personal interests and preferences and most do not shy away from divorces too. In this age, do you think religion has a future? The country will move towards truth and goodness in the future. I am confident about that.
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