Kochi: The BJP central leadership's move to make silent inroads into Kerala politics, through Sahakar Bharati's Akshayasree-model initiatives and other welfare schemes and ventures, is observed seriously by the Left parties and Congress.
The transformation of Kudumbasree units as the strong political base for CPM at ground level underlines the political significance behind the move. Kudumbasree was inaugurated by the then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on May 17, 1998. What started as a government mission to eradicate poverty in rural areas has gradually become a political network of the CPM.
Congress and BJP leaders have openly admitted that their supporters became CPM activists after joining Kudumbasree. It was after taking serious notes from it, Congress launched the Janasree Sustainable Development Mission in 2006. However, it lost its sheen soon as the Congress party failed to push it further owing to the alleged apathy of its leaders. There were 50,000 Janasree units in 2011. Now there are only less than 20,000 units; most of them are inactive too.
Congress to strengthen Janasree units
Kerala Pradesh Congress President (KPCC) President, K Sudhakaran, told Mathrubhumi.com that, “Congress party has discussed it and reached a collective decision to revive the existing Janasree units in the state and also to increase the number of units across the state. During the beginning, the Janasree units were functioning effectively but due to various reasons they became inactive. When Janasrees are handled by disciplined, efficient and responsible leaders, we can expect them to function well. So we will hand them over to smart leaders at the ground level to ensure efficient functioning. Undoubtedly, Janasrees will become a huge institution in their hands. Local leadership has a pivotal role to play in ensuring the effective functioning of Janasrees. The state leadership will issue proper guidelines to remould Janasrees,” added Sudhakaran.
Whereas, senior Congress leader and UDF Convener MM Hassan has blamed the Congress leadership over their apathy in bringing up Janasrees as a strong political tool of Congress. Hassan played a key role in the formation of Janasree. However, he says he did not get enough backing from Congress leadership in strengthening it further.
“Congress failed to raise Janasrees as its political arm as the party considers Janasrees just as self-help-groups to empower people at the ground level. In various instances, I and many other leaders called for raising Janasrees as a strong political arm of Congress. However, it was collectively opposed by the previous Congress leaderships. In fact, Congress lacks a clear vision and organisational structure in taking up such initiatives. At least now, the Congress party should realise the importance of Janasrees in strengthening the party.”
Opposition leader, VD Satheesan, has also admitted the fact that Kudumbasrees have helped CPM in expanding its presence in the state. “We have discussed the growth of Akshayasrees and the need to bring up Janasrees as a political arm of Congress. We are yet to finalise a plan of action,” said Satheesan.
Left parties to resist RSS-BJP move
The left leaders in Kerala are determined to campaign against the Akshayasree-model initiative of RSS-BJP in Kerala. Former finance minister Thomas Issac told Mathrubhumi.com that there has been a deliberate move by Congress and BJP to destroy Kudumbasree. “Congress party came up with Janasree to destroy Kudumbasree but failed to do so. Similarly, RSS has come up with Akshayasree now. More than strengthening party bases, they want to destroy Kudumbasree. We will actively campaign against it to expose their agendas,”said Isaac.
He also said that the Kudumbasree has nearly 3.5-lakh units in Kerala. “We will strengthen Kudumbasree units further.”
He also ruled out any possibility of RSS-BJP making any political advancement through Akshayasree-model game plan. “RSS has had strong presence in Kerala for many years now. Has BJP won any seat in Kerala due to this? The people in Kerala would not accept RSS ideologies. Even after Vellappally Natesan and Thushar Vellappally reached BJP camp, they have not made any progress,” added Isaac.
Senior CPI (M) leader and Polit-Bureau member, MA Baby, told Mathrubhumi.com that the left parties will always try to expose the real nature of RSS and BJP. “By exposing the exact face of RSS and BJP, the left parties can easily resist their growth. RSS has been trying relentlessly and intensely to expand its activities in various sectors across the state for years now. They mislead, threaten and even tempt people to suppress dissents. Ultimately, RSS spreads communal ideologies through all that they do. For disseminating their ideologies, RSS uses various such methods. The Akshayashree-model ventures are an ideal example for it,” said Baby.
He also said that RSS divides people on the basis of majoritarian ideology. “The Citizenship act is an ideal example to project the hidden motives of RSS. Deciding citizenship on the basis of religion is against the principles of Indian Constitution and its secular values. RSS implements various projects and policies by convincing the public that they are for their welfare. Who is RSS? What are their agendas? RSS just wants to create a theocratic India that stands submissive to them. The Akshayasrees and Sahakar Bharati are the devices of RSS to execute their agendas. The Left Democratic Front will always try to expose the real nature of RSS to make people understand the wickedness of their various projects. By doing this, LDF can easily tackle the threat posed by them,”added Baby.
Published: 14 Nov 2021, 09:41 am IST
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