KL This Week: PFI Offices Sealed, Governor-LDF Govt Tussle Continues

After the ban on the Popular Front of India (PFI) for five years on September 28, the police began sealing its party offices in the state.

The court has ordered the PFI to pay Rs 5 crore towards damages caused to public property on September 22 following the raids on its offices across the country.

Congress leader and MP Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yata completed its Kerala leg after 18 days. The march infused life into the party, hit by internal feuds and defeats in Assembly elections. 

The tussle between governor Arif Mohammed Khan and the Kerala government continued as the ruling Left Democratic Front’s (LDF) convener accused him of acting at the behest of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).

The Kerala government made more achievements in public health and digital literacy. Newsclick brings a round-up of the happenings in the state this week.

GOVERNMENT AND UNIVERSITY IN CONFLICT WITH GOVERNOR

LDF convener and the Communist Party of India (Marxist) central committee member EP Jayarajan alleged the Khan is trying to implement the RSS communal agenda in Kerala.

“The governor is disrespecting the Assembly and putting the executive in disarray. By hurling abuses on historian Irfan Habib and Kannur University vice-chancellor, he has proved unworthy of holding on to a constitutional office,” Jayarajan alleged.

Meanwhile, the University of Kerala refused to give in after the governor sent a letter asking it to nominate a member to the search committee which selects the next V-C. The university alleged that Khan’s letter is invalid.

BHARAT JODO YATRA COMPLETES KERALA LEG

The Bharat Jodo Yatra left Kerala after covering eight districts in 18 days. Different organisations associated with the Congress and civil society groups participated in the march. 

Rahul thanked the Congress and the United Democratic Front (UDF) following the completion of the march. The party was criticised for the presence of VD Savarkar’s image on a banner depicting pictures of prominent freedom fighters during the march and for taking a break on the day of the PFI strike.

The CPI(M) and the LDF questioned the number of days Rahul spent in the state compared to the much less duration in Uttar Pradesh (UP) amid the Congress claim of uniting the country against the decisive policies of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). After facing criticism, the Congress increased the number of days from two to four in UP.

The march entered Karnataka after passing through the Nilgiris district in Tamil Nadu. The march also went through Wayanad district, represented by Rahul in the Lok Sabha. 

POLICE SEAL PFI OFFICES, COURT ORDERS TO PAY RS 5 CRORE

The police sealed PFI offices, including the headquarters in Kozhikode. The organisation dissolved all its units after the announcement of the ban.

The PFI strike ended with sporadic violence, leading to damage to public property, especially public transport. The Kerala High Court ordered the organisation to pay Rs 5.2 crore as damages to the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation.

The CPI(M) announced that the party does not support banning any organisations considering the “authoritarian” style of the BJP government. But the party has repeatedly accused the PFI of communal agenda and policies. 

NADDA ACCUSED STATE OF SPONSORING TERROR

BJP national president JP Nadda during his visit to the state accused the LDF government of sponsoring terrorism. He accused the CPI(M) and the chief minister of pursuing dynasty politics while inaugurating the district committee office in Thiruvananthapuram. 

The CPI(M) state secretariat rejected the allegations and accused the RSS and Sangh Parivar organisations of planning for riots in the state. 

Nadda met archbishops of the catholic diocese in Kottayam district. The BJP has been trying to woo Christian voters in central Kerala, who has traditionally backed the Congress in elections.

K-RAIL SURVEY TO CONTINUE

The ambitious semi-high-speed rail service project, K-Rail, seems to have make a comeback after a lull. The government has reportedly received legal opinion on beginning to study the social impact of the project. 

Considering the stiff opposition to the physical surveys in the past, GPS-based surveys will be done. Both the UDF and the BJP oppose the project.

AWARD FOR HIGHEST FREE MEDICAL TREATMENT

The state government has been awarded for providing the highest number of free medical treatments, 43.4 lakhs, in 2021 by the Union government. The LDF government spent Rs 1,636 crore on such treatment. The state accounts for 15% of free medical treatment provided in the country. Read More 

FIRST FULLY DIGITAL LITERATE PANCHAYAT

The Pullampara village panchayat, in Thiruvananthapuram district, has won the distinction of being the first panchayat in the country to be declared digitally literate. Around 3,100 residents of the panchayat were trained in using services offered by the state government and social media platforms. 

The LDF government plans to achieve total digital literacy through people’s participation. Read More