Kerala Chief Minister and CPI(M) Political Bureau member Pinarayi Vijayan is leading the Left Democratic Front (LDF) charge against violence as the coalition seeks an unprecedented third consecutive term in the state assembly on April 9. Just short of 81, he exudes confidence in victory, regrets that the BJP team is drawn for the BJP. blank again as he sits down to talk to a Hindu in Pinaraya in his Dharmadam constituency. Edited excerpts:
A large number of sitting MLAs were renominated by the Left Front. No anti-settlement?
There is no anti-empowerment because the people feel that the government has tried to the best of its ability to implement what the people wanted. Ten years ago Kerala was in shambles but we have brought a sea change in all sectors. Now our Vision 2031 defines achievable goals in every sector so that we can develop Kerala in line with modern times.
Our youth want the higher education sector to be further strengthened. If no institution from Kerala featured in the top 100 institutions at the national level in 2016, eighteen Kerala colleges are now on the list. It is the result of active interventions that require continuation.
We have promoted research, cutting-edge courses and youth skill development, connecting academia with industry. Our industrial approach attracts top players from all over the world and all but the red industries are welcome. We have an excellent startup ecosystem.
But despite this, the left has suffered a jolt in recent local opinion polls.
Each election follows a unique pattern. It was a local election and we suffered setbacks in several places that do not reflect public opinion across the state. We feel a favorable atmosphere now.
The BJP is pushing the slogan of ‘develop Kerala’ but the Left is accusing the Center of suffocating the state.
While it is now harping on the ‘development of Kerala’, has the center done anything for the development of Kerala? Despite repeated challenges and amazing achievements in public health, we do not have an AIIMS. When disasters hit the state, the Center not only turned its back but blocked support from countries that share a deep bond with Kerala. Has any other Indian state received such disgraceful treatment in the face of disaster? It was just us. Did it not demonstrate a mentality that wanted to see the demise of the state?
The Center sided with those who opposed the K-Rail project for political reasons to expand our transportation infrastructure.
Was there any help when landslides hit Wayanad? Now that he is offering to ‘develop Kerala’ people don’t see the duplicity? They do!
The state is denied its rightful share of taxes and our borrowing limit has been greatly reduced. Doesn’t this all smack of vendetta?
What is your take on the BJP’s Christian outreach and the Left’s relationship with the community?
We have good relations with all communities. All sections of Christians, who together form a significant community in the state, have good relations with the government. BJP may harbor many aspirations but nothing will materialize and there will be no consolidation in its favour.
Will SIR affect the outcome of the election?
There have been concerns about the SIR in some constituencies where voter turnout has fallen sharply. But this should be more clear.
How do you stop the BJP in its tracks? Who is better prepared for this, the Congress or the Left?
Congress is unable to do so. It acts as BJP’s B-team, even nationally. Only the Left has steadfastly resisted the BJP, which it will continue to do even more vigorously. And even this time the BJP is unlikely to get any electoral gains.
At the national level, only a united fight is possible against the BJP, but the Congress always thwarts such bids by spoiling the atmosphere and giving an advantage to the BJP. Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi refuse to learn from their mistakes.
Is the Left in Kerala on the defensive after the defection of past legislators like G. Sudhakaran, Aisha Potty, S. Rajendran, CC Mukundan, PK Sasi and the like to the Congress and the BJP? There is also an uprising in Kannur.
They were all driven by greed for positions and loss of values. Although G. Sudhakaran was well-regarded, he could not cope with the party’s policy of age-based retirement from committees. He betrayed the party, conspired with the UDF and is contesting the elections.
It is the same with others. S. Rajendran, it was heard, also needed the BJP’s help to resolve some issues. TK Govindan’s grouse was that no one from the commission proposed his candidature and he decided to become an ax in the hands of the UDF against the CPI(M).
They all betrayed the party. But we will win in all the constituencies where they will contest.
Sudhakaran is in Alappuzha, a district dearest to us, with the memories and tradition of the Punnapra-Vayalar uprising deeply rooted in its soil. No deviant will have an impact on Alappuzha who behaves like herself.
And TK Govindan decided to mask his greed by challenging the candidature of PK Shyamala, who is married to CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan. Her candidacy is most appropriate as she has held many responsibilities in the party and was a DYFI worker and an active member of the party even before their marriage. It has its own identity.
There are allegations of public health collapse.
Media houses like yours should investigate why there is a sudden uproar over the health care issues. Since 2016 when it was in a state of collapse, the public health sector in Kerala has grown considerably and this has helped us overcome challenges including the pandemic. We have progressed further and achieved an IMR of 5, which is better than the US. Even rich people now use medical facilities. But multinational monopolies are taking over our private hospitals, causing health care spending to skyrocket. The smear campaign against the public health system is in their favor.
Regarding Sabarimala gold theft and Govt’s statement in SC – will it affect polls?
It won’t affect us because people have understood the truth about it. The High Court is overseeing the investigation and has made it clear that there is no outside interference involved. The investigation is going in the right direction and no culprit will go unpunished.
Regarding the contributions, we answered the set of questions clearly. The issue of women entering the temple was not part of the questions. We reiterated what we said in 2007: that religious scholars, experts and social reformers should be consulted when dealing with the issue of temple customs and rituals.
Your repeated statements against Jamaat-e-Islami (Hind) are being interpreted as an attack on the Muslim community.
To shut our mouths, we try to be portrayed as anti-Hindu when we attack RSS and anti-Muslim when we speak against JEI. Regardless, we are not and will continue to speak out against both majority and minority communalism. Large sections of the majority and minority communities are secular and we stand with them.
Was the Global Ayyappa Sangamam a misstep?
Never. The event was organized by the Travancore Devaswom Board. Sabarimala is the most important temple managed by the board and people from all over the world visit the temple. The intention of the board is to bring them all together and highlight it. Wasn’t there a move to hold a parallel Ayyappa Sangamam? It didn’t go badly. Our Ayyappa Sangamam was a great success and reached out to the secular community.
Is the loss of livelihoods and rising fuel prices due to war in West Asia a polling issue?
Any issue that affects people can become an election issue. A large number of people who are supposed to vote in our state have to come from abroad to do so. Despite the difficulties, they descend and vote. But everyone is worried about the developing situation. Our home kitchens are affected. There are people who depend on restaurants for food and now they are facing difficulties. The lack of fuel is felt in a big way.
If we had implemented the gas pipeline from Iran, we would not be in this situation. It was the Manmohan Singh-led government that shelved the project under US pressure. It was done during the nuclear deal when the US was said to give us fuel. Do they give anything? Still, we support America’s interests.
