CPI(M) unmoved by KC(J) sabre-rattling

By C. Gouridasan Nair

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, FEB. 10. The Kerala Congress(J) appears to have miscalculated the effect its muscle-flexing would have on the CPI(M). Instead of rushing to buy peace with the KC(J), the CPI(M) has by and large chosen to ignore the threatening noises emanating from the KC(J) camp. If one is to go by what senior party leaders have to say, the CPI(M) would rather let events to take their own course.

There has been no move so far to pacify the KC(J) leader and Education Minister, Mr. P.J. Joseph. There is also no move to advance the meeting of the LDF State committee, slated for February 23, to ensure that the KC(J) working committee meeting being held here on February 15 does not rush into any rash decision.

It is not that the CPI(M) has a single track mind on the question of sanctioning more self-financing engineering colleges. The overwhelming view in the party is against any such move and those who hold this view sincerely believe that it would only accentuate commercialisation of education and creation of educational facilities accessible to the wealthy few. But there is the other view as well, though not in such noticeable scale. But nobody in the CPI(M) wants to be held to ransom by any of the constituents. The KC(J), many in the party feel, has done that several times.

The LDF Government has added some 8,000 engineering seats during the last five years. This is a record of sorts for any Government in the State and a fair share of the credit for this should go to Mr. Joseph. The CPI(M) may have been amenable to suggestions for a far less number of engineering colleges, but whether a scaling down of the numbers would solve the current problem would depend on the kind of decision that the KC(J) working committee takes on February 15.

The question that begs an answer is why the CPI(M) has chosen to let the ball remain in the KC(J) court. The party does not think that the KC(J) and the KC(M) can unite all that easily. The two parties have a common support base and sharing it would not be as easy as it is being made out. Mr. Joseph and the KC(M) leader, Mr. K.M. Mani, too have been speaking in conflicting terms on how unity could be achieved. Mr. Mani is on record that unity would be conditional upon Mr. Joseph quitting the LDF, the latter has not so far gone that far.

The Congress leadership also would have serious problems in accepting Mr. Joseph in the UDF fold. The UDF has pegged its campaign against the LDF Government on the alleged irregularities in the sanctioning of Plus Two courses. If Mr. Joseph is welcomed into the UDF, that major weapon in the UDF armoury would cease to have any effect. Such a move would also bring additional pressure on the UDF leadership at the time of seat-sharing.

How events would unfold in the days to come is anybody's guess, primarily because it is all in the mind of Mr. Joseph. However, he may not be able to keep the suspense for long as that would hurt his credibility with the LDF cadres. He cannot tarry long without a decision either way as that would hit his electoral chances.

He may have little to worry if he succeeds in gaining entry into the UDF. If that does not happen and the low-intensity war with the LDF leadership goes on for long, it would harm his credibility with the LDF cadres without whose wholehearted support he would not be able to make it to the Assembly next time round. In the recent local bodies election, the LDF was behind the UDF by some 16,000 votes in the local bodies forming part of his Thodupuzha constituency. The ruling Front had also lost out in his home panchayat Purapuzha.

Although there is a campaign to the contrary, CPI leaders swear that they do not intend to intercede on behalf of the KC(J). They have taken the position that the CPI should intervene only if the CPI(M) feels the need for some initiative to work out a compromise. The CPI(M) State committee, which is meeting here on February 13 and 14, may well take up the issue and some hint as to where things are headed should be available after that.

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Section  : Southern States
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