O J’s Corner

Good times for Kodiyeri


The quality of politics in Kerala is taking a curious turn with the elevation of State Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan as a member of the CPM politburo at its recently concluded Party Congress in Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu.

Two senior contenders Paloli Mohamedkutty and M A Baby who belong to Muslim and
Christian minorities weres signaled to sit still.

It is quite clear from the choice of Kodiyeri by the central leadership of the party that the next Chief Minister of Kerala from the LDF side would be Kodiyeri, if it comes to bid adieu to the regime of V S Achuthanandan.

Kodiyeri has been playing his cards quite well by not distancing himself too far from CPM State Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan and not completely disowning Pinarayi’s bete noire V S Achuthanandan. The personal rife between Pinarayi and V S was so acute that the state administration had come to a grinding halt many a time, even though the party leaders would not admit it publicly.

V S has had his innings, as he could don the mantle of Chief Ministership, opportunities for which had fallen by the wayside on many occasions in the past. It would be beside the point to argue whether V S would complete his full term or not. But his successor has apparently been named, with the induction of Kodiyeri as a member of the PB, ignoring the seniority of many others.

It should be an eye-opener for Pinarayi as well. There cannot be an automatic walk-over for him post-VS times.

As for M A Baby and Paloli, they should very well come to terms with the fact that they are not suitable boys for the party beyond the realms they are occupying.