K.N. Panikkar’s observation that the Kerala Assembly election is equally important to the Congress-led UDF, the CPI(M)-led LDF, and the BJP is quite pertinent (“ >Not merely a two-way contest ”, April 7). The polls may even turn out to be a three-way contest. For decades, the State has been ruled by either the UDF or LDF. Even though a change in the scenario is desirable, the BJP at present is hardly in a position to fit into a viable third front role. Despite the numerous allegations of corruption and misuse of power — though unproven and unsubstantiated — it is undeniable that the UDF government has undertaken considerable development activities in the State. During the last five years, the LDF has levelled many allegations against the UDF and held several agitations. But they don’t seem to have been successful. If the faction-ridden Congress can close its ranks and face the election united, the UDF may still scrape through with a wafer-thin majority. On the other hand, if the BJP-led front does better than expected and wins half a dozen seats, the election is likely throw up a hung Assembly.
C.G. Kuriakose,
Kothamangalam
K.N. Panikkar’s analysis is interesting but it fails to assess one aspect: the fact that the CPI(M) in West Bengal wants an alliance with the Congress, which will not happen in Kerala. It is a tactical move for both the CPI(M) and the Congress in West Bengal, and they can expect rich dividends from this decision. However, the CPI(M), which does not want to hold hands with the Congress in Kerala, will pay a heavy price for this, as will the Congress. The biggest beneficiary in this case will be the BJP. Also, the author fails to see the ground support that the NDA commands at present. In most of the Assembly constituencies in Kerala, the winning margin is between 1,000 and 7,000 votes. Any further erosion in the traditional votes to the UDF and LDF will be advantageous to the NDA.
Suresh R.,
Thiruvananthapuram
Except for the barb “He (BJP State unit head Kummanam Rajasekharan) is already active in his mission of community polarisation”, which could have been avoided, the article is very perceptive, balanced, and is a comprehensive analysis of the political scene in Kerala. There is indeed a space developing for a culture-based political option to suit the outlook and modernising aspirations of the rising lower middle class. The BJP could fill that need and divert a significant number of votes from the LDF. A point that the article misses is the goodwill that the Chandy government has gathered with its bold prohibition policy, which might help to pull it out of the corruption stink which envelopes it. On the whole, real democracy is at play in Kerala more than ever before.
A.N. Lakshmanan,
Bengaluru
