Go in for strong action either way and save the people

By O J George

Kottayam: No doubt the CPM-led Left Democratic Front and its government led by V.S.Achuthanandan are in limbo due to groupism in the party and disunity among the front partners.

The sad state of affairs for any party, front or government has not been contributed by the rival Congress-led United Democratic Front or its partners.

LDF’s fall is its own making. It cannot blame anyone else for the sorry state of affairs. Anyone would ask, “What a great fall it is, my countrymen”!!!

The LDF had got over 100 seats in the Assembly election. After three years, when the intervening Lok Sabha polls were held, it lost in 102 Assembly segments. Since this erosion does not officially relate to the State Assembly, for the election was only for the Lok Sabha, the government can continue.

However, the party will not allow smooth functioning of the government of this sort.

The central committee of the party has made it clear that CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan and Chief Minister V.S.Achuthanandan should share the blame for the debacle.

There were devious ways of functioning of the party apparatus in the state. An unsupported Achuthanandan had given enough fuel to the opposition to kindle a fireworks during the Lok Sabha elections.

The UDF win was not the achievement of particular leaders. It was brought about by the compendious disenchantment felt by the people at large. Ramesh Chennithala, Oommen Chandy or anyone else cannot particularly make claims individually for fetching the double blessings of poll glory and ruin of the LDF dispensation.

Now the politburo of the CPM is to hold sittings on July 4 and 5 for discussing the problems in Kerala alone. The issue is whether the politburo has the popular strength to bridle both Pinarayi Vijayan and Achuthanandan. Both of them have popular backing in their own way. But can the politburo members like Prakash Karat and S.Ramachandran Pillai claim grass-roots level popularity in Kerala?

Strong action against Pinarayi and Achuthanandan, either jointly or severally, would have repercussions in the party. Conversely, no action, notwithstanding some censure or demotion but letting them go to keep their positions, would definitely weaken the party and the hold among the people.

The party and the Left organisations are in a dilemma. But then, politics is a vibrant field. No static state of affairs can enthuse the people and retain their interest.

Yesterday, a pre-planned LDF meeting could not be held, apparently on account of the difference of opinion among the front partners.

Perhaps, the political players did not want further controversies being created before the CPM politburo would make cogent decisions about dealing with the affairs in Kerala.

Big projects like Smart City, Vizhinjam harbour are in danger of being scuttled. Self-financing educational sector is in a shambles. Perhaps, the Central move as an all-India solution, may help in future.

Pinarayi may have felt he should be the sole solution for the party in Kerala. Achuthanandan may not have got support from the party for proper governance. The resultant situation is not sauce for the people.

The assertions of some selfish media analysts, lined up in favour of Pinarayi on the one hand and others for Achuthanandan on the other, would not help either the party or the government.

Only strong action will save the party and the front from being decimated. Why should the burdens of the party and the government be forced on the people who should suffer the pangs and loss of development for the State? Whatever be the consequences, let stagnation be not the rule, but action the solution for the malaise.