CPI(M)’s Kerala Yatra to ‘Expose Threats’ of BJP Regime

The CPI(M)’s statewide People’s Resistance Yatra in Kerala aims to “expose the attacks” on federalism and “threats posed” by the RSS-backed BJP government to the constitutional values of the nation and explain the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government’s “achievements” in the state despite “severe financial constraints”.  

The yatra, led by CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan and inaugurated by chief minister and Politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan at Kumbla, Kasargod district, on Monday, also aims to help the LDF improve its tally in the 2024 Lok Sabha election.  

The yatra will end in Thiruvananthapuram on March 18 after covering all the 140 Assembly constituencies. 

BJP/RSS ‘THREAT’ TO THE NATION

Vijayan listed the Centre’s “multi-pronged attacks” on the states and the nation. “The BJP-led government is a threat to the nation, the people, the Constitution, secularism and parliamentary democracy,” he said. 

The BJP has been attempting to woo minority votes for long and striking a chord with churches and leaders after the Congress defeat in the 2021 Assembly elections. While the RSS is continuously holding talks with organisations like Jamaat-e-Islami for electoral gains. 

“Communalism is the weapon used by the BJP government to divert people’s attention from real issues plaguing them. The CPI(M) has always opposed both majority and minority communalist forces, and we will expose the danger through this yatra,” he added.

CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan and former MPs PK Biju and CS Sujatha and M Swaraj being received during the yatra (Courtesy: CPIM Kerala).

Referring to Centre’s economic policies, Vijayan accused the BJP of making a few people super-rich. “Farmers, workers and the working class in general are struggling to survive. But the Union government and Sangh Parivar organisations are escalating communal tensions for electoral gains,” he said. 

The LDF’s alternative policies, including the resurrection of PSUs neglected by the Centre, like Hindustan Newsprint Limited (HNL), were also highlighted. 

Govindan warned of “threats” if the BJP retains power in the 2024 election. “2025 is the centenary of the RSS, which guides and controls the BJP. If the BJP returns to power in 2024, we may face serious threats.”  He called upon the people of Kerala and other states to defeat the BJP to save the secular and federal characteristics of the nation. 

‘WILL EXPOSE CENTRE’S NEGLECT’

The Kerala government has continuously accused the Centre of neglecting its financial demands. The demand for extension of the GST compensation for five more years by several BJP and non-BJP ruled states was rejected again in the GST council meeting. 

“The yatra will discuss in detail about the betrayal of Kerala by the Centre. The BJP government is trying to destabilise Kerala financially,” Govindan alleged. 

The CPI(M) has accused the Centre of denying several Railways infrastructure projects and an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) to the state. Besides, the demand for increased borrowing limits and allocation from the divisive pool have also been neglected. 

“The government has denied around Rs 40,000 crore the state deserved. The reduction of allocation in the 15th Finance commission is an attempt to crush the state’s financial status. The BJP government is working against the federal principles,” he said. 

‘WILL HIGHLIGHT ACHIEVEMENTS OF LDF GOVERNMENTS’

Another important agenda of the yatra is to highlight the achievements of the present and past LDF governments on people-centric measures. 

“Renowned economists have called upon even other nations to emulate the Kerala Model given the positive impact on society in land reforms and welfare measures,” Govindan mentioned. 

Land reforms in Kerala were introduced by the first communist government in the state, led by EMS Namboodiripad, the stalwart of the communist movement in the country. 

“The EMS government passed the Land Reform Ordinance on April 11, 1957, after assuming power. Only due to the consistent and continuous efforts of the CPI(M) and the Left, were reforms implemented in 1969. This major achievement is the foundation of the state’s developments,” he said. 

The LDF government pays Rs 1,600 per month as welfare pension to  54 lakh beneficiaries, the highest in the country. Besides, the State Budget announced the continuation of pre-metric and post-metric scholarship.  

The LDF’s recent achievements, including the recognition for Startup Mission, Year of Enterprises and achievements in higher education would be the talking points of the yatra.