Sangh in talks with leaders of political parties, including CPI(M), who oppose policies of the Left government
In a bid to check the growing trend of political violence in Kerala, the RSS has opened a channel of communication with what it calls, “democratic elements” in the state. The first-of-its-kind move is aimed at reaching out to individuals and organisations opposed to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s style of functioning.
J. Nandakumar, convener of RSS-backed think tank Pragya Pravah, said talks are on even with CPI(M) leaders who are not on the same page with Vijayan.
“It is clear that there is a rift in the CPI(M). There are good and bad communists; the present CM is leading the bad ones. The other group is led by former CM V.S. Achuthanandan,” Nandakumar told ThePrint.
He said that getting parties like Congress on board proved to be challenging in the past. Now, efforts are on to create a platform for open discussions on tricky issues.
“We know that the Congress is upset and the Muslim League considers us a Hindu group. However, there is another group of people, which is working to bring everyone on one platform, even CPI(M) leaders. We are campaigning vigorously to reach out to the people. We are doing everything, from door-to-door visit to neighbourhood meetings, to achieve that goal,” the RSS ideologue said.
The Sangh is also counting on BJP president Amit Shah, who is due to lead a yatra in the state in the first week of October, to take this idea forward.
Apart from the main parties, the RSS is holding back-channel talks with smaller groups as well.
“Smaller groups like Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam may have their differences with the BJP, but we feel we could get together. Similarly, the Harijan community has its own organisation. The CPI(M) may have a support base among the tribals, but there are people who have understood who their real well-wisher is and that’s why they are coming to us,” Nandakumar said.
“We were able to garner support from the tribals in the past. Now, we have made a fresh effort to reach out to them. Church-backed parties are a divided house. One of them has switched allegiance to the BJP,” added Nandakumar, who believes that the BJP has been able to expand its support base in the state in recent years.
Nandakumar also claims that the violence unleashed by the CPI(M) reflects its frustration. He warns that if BJP wins more seats in the next assembly election, the number of violent incidents blamed on the Left, will also go up.
“If we see an increase in BJP MLAs, I believe there will be a sudden rise in violence against us because of the frustration on part of Left. Then it will decrease gradually,” said Nandakumar.
