The Kerala lesson

Kerala’s election results giving a consecutive second term for a government in the last 43 years gives out the signal that there is no alternative to good governance which can make people think beyond their basic identities while exercising their franchise. It has proved to the Opposition that there is no alternative to hard work in politics; it has also left a message for the media that it would lose credibility if it does not follow principles of fair journalism and starts following its own agenda.

The CPI(M)-led Left Democratic government swept to power on the back of the support it has received form people across sections, especially the most vulnerable ones. The Pinarayi Vijayan government ensured that the entire state machinery was on its feet when life was thrown out of gear by an epidemic, a pandemic and two back-to-back floods in four of the five years when it was in power.

It discovered innovative routes to fund infrastructure; political will alone helped complete projects worth tens of thousands of crores of rupees. They all paid rich electoral dividends, too.

The LDF, however, will have to fight a tougher battle this term against the communal forces that are waiting in the corner. The LDF has ensured that the BJP closed the account it had opened in the last elections but the reach of the communal forces across followers of all religions is on the rise. The LDF will have to ensure that it gives no room for these forces to manipulate the minds of the people and make a gain.

The outgoing government drew flak for its running of the home department, thanks to a spree of encounter killings and the reckless use of UAPA; it will have to realign its policy in tune with that of the left parties. Holding the Kerala society together while moving on the path of development is the task waiting for the new government.