BJP-CPI(M) tug of war amid peace moves

There are conflicting signals from both the CPI(M) and the BJP-RSS in Kerala in the wake of bilateral peace talks in recent days after the horrific incident of the brutal killing of a RSS activist E. Rajesh in Thiruvananthapuram. Union minister Arun Jaitley's visit to Kerala on Sunday and his unusually strident tone against the CPI (M) reflected resort to the victimhood narrative for political advantage. It did not show a keen desire to look ahead with a new resolve. Signals emanating from the topbrass of the RSS-BJP combine suggest that after having upped the ante, they are not keen to immediately step down on their broadsides against the CPI(M) as this would be politically counter-productive. The CPI(M) too is unwilling to give any quarter to its ideological adversary and is countering the challenge by intervening at three levels: the Politburo's strident statement issued on Friday, the state government's initiatives and the party's reach out to lower rungs of the party. This has set the stage for a protracted political battle amid little hope that the current level of hostilities will be curtailed. On the other hand, peace meetings in affected districts are well underway.

In the last assembly polls, in 2016, BJP veteran O. Rajagopal opened the account for the party by winning the Nemom assembly seat which is a Thiruvanthapuram suburb. BJP candidates came second in seven other constituencies. Slowly but surely, through the RSS, the vote share of the BJP is increasing and the party is keen on taking advantage of the sympathy accruing to it because of the strong-arm tactics of the CPI (M) cadres. The RSS is no longer apologetic about its engagement with politics and makes little effort to underscore its 'cultural character' as it did earlier. Religious polarization is still taboo in Kerala and open attempts at polarization are eschewed. But the undercurrent of hostility is manifest. The BJP is aiming to emerge initially as a significant third force and eventually as the principal rival to the LDF, a possibility that will remain remote it manages to marginalize the Congress.