Surgical strike? BJP leverages Padma Awards for political gains in Kerala
Thiruvananthapuram: The BJP appears to have strategically leveraged the Padma Awards to create a favourable socio-political environment in Kerala, even as it seeks to strengthen its foothold in the state.
The posthumous Padma Vibhushan was awarded to veteran Communist leader VS Achuthanandan, widely respected for his political integrity and uncompromising stance on his differences with the BJP.
In another surprising move, General Secretary of SNDP Yogam and SN Trust, Vellapally Natesan, who has openly campaigned for a third term of the Pinarayi Vijayan government and made statements viewed as anti-Islam, received the Padma Bhushan. Interestingly, neither of these awards was recommended by the state government.
Meanwhile, names like Mammootty and Kalamandalam Vimala Menon were included in the state’s recommendation list, with the former having been recommended by the government in previous years.
RSS circles say the decision could be seen as a “surgical strike” against the CPM for its criticism of the Union government.
A post by the Kerala Governor’s personal staff on social media on Sunday hinted at the announcement.
Awarding VS Achuthanandan posthumously carries significant political symbolism. Analysts argue that it positions the BJP to gain influence among Kerala’s left-leaning electorate. Similarly, Vellapally’s recognition is politically loaded. His son, Thushar Vellappally, leads the BDJS, and the award is seen as a signal to consolidate support ahead of internal discussions about the NDA alliance.
Vellapally has historically played a pivotal role in uniting the NSS and SNDP. Right-wing organisations reportedly hope to use this opportunity to strengthen Hindu consolidation in the state, while also keeping the Ezhava vote bank favourable to the BJP, a demographic where the Left continues to wield considerable influence. The CPM has noted that setbacks in recent Lok Sabha and local body elections were partly due to erosion in the Ezhava vote.
By recognising Vellapally over his anti-Islam statements, the BJP appears to be targeting both social consolidation and strategic political gains. Analysts suggest that through the awards, the party is subtly positioning itself to enter the CPM’s traditional political turf while consolidating its own voter base.