Kerala is again assuming a pivotal role in firming up an alternative against the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Centre by catalysing Opposition unity on issues of national concern.
When leaders of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) join hands for a symbolic protest against the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA) on Monday, it is expected to set the foundation for a national platform for flagging similar issues of national significance.
A similar attempt was made by Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac in August when he brought together Finance Ministers of non-BJP States to voice concern over the terms of reference of the 15th Union Finance Commission. It proved to be a success and prompted the Centre to proffer an explanation. Since then, the movement for conserving fiscal federalism had been gaining ground and almost all non-BJP ruled States, except Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh, have evinced interest to stand united to take on the Centre.
The Left parties, the CPI(M) and the CPI, were the first to cry foul in the State against the CAA. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan went a step ahead to reiterate that the State would not implement the Act, which, he said, went against the secular credentials of the Constitution. The CPI too expressed strong resentment and organised protests.
The Left front’s protest along with the Opposition is expected to send a message that both fronts are willing to bury differences on larger issues that have a bearing on the State and the country as a whole.
It could set the ground for a similar unified movement in other States and also at forums such as the GST Council.
