Conflicting interests united

#Conflicting interests united

The sudden friendliness between the NSS and SNDP, especially in an election year, shows an attempt to turn Kerala’s complex society into simple vote calculations based on community. Such temporary alliances, formed for political convenience rather than real agreement, have failed in the past because they underestimate the political awareness of Kerala’s voters. 

The basic differences between the two groups cannot be ignored: most Nairs fall under the general category, while Ezhavas benefit from OBC reservation. These conflicting interests cannot be covered up with public gestures and vague talk of “shared goals”. The earlier Vellappally–Sukumaran Nair experiment clearly proved this. Repeating the same exercise today will only increase public distrust and encourage identity-based politics, weakening Kerala’s tradition of reform-oriented and issue-based political thinking.

More seriously, these moves add to the growing problem of communal polarisation in the State. Communities are being pushed into vote-bank politics in the name of countering other groups. The claim that Muslims support both the UDF and LDF, whether true or exaggerated, is being used to justify a counter-mobilisation among Hindu caste organisations. This benefits political leaders and power brokers, not ordinary people. 

Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan appears to understand this danger, but the Congress leadership’s hesitation to openly support him suggests a double standard. Opposing communalism in words while quietly adjusting to it is a bad  practice. Kerala does not need new caste alliances or communal equations. What it needs is political courage to uphold constitutional values, pursue real social justice beyond vote banks, and reject identity politics that divide society for short-term electoral gains.

- K A Solaman