HVK Archives: CPM, BJP clash over Hindu support
CPM, BJP clash over Hindu support - The Pioneer
Pioneer News Service
()
4 July 1997
Title: CPM, BJP clash over Hindu support
Author: Pioneer News Service
Publication: The Pioneer
Date: July 4, 1997
The recent killing of two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists in Kerala,
allegedly by Communist Party of India (Marxist) workers, is proof enough
that the clashes between the supporters of the CPI(M) and the BJP-RSS
combine have their roots in the past.
The clashes were most macabre in 1970s at Thalessary -- the constituency
now represented by Chief Minister E K Nayanar -- in Kannur district and
came to be known as Thalessary riots. There was again a flare-up between
the two groups in the 1980s. Between 1980 and 1982, nearly 50 persons from
both the groups were reportedly killed in clashes.
In the clashes in 1987 and later, at least 40 persons were killed. There
were also incidents of killing during 1991-96 while the Congress-led UDF
was in power. The incidents during this period include the slaying of SFI
State joint secretary Sudesh in Kannur District by the BJP workers.
The killing of BJP workers M Bhaskaran and M Kumaran by alleged CPI(M)
activists on Sunday night in Nadapuram was reportedly in retaliation to the
attack on a local CPI(M) leader, P Pokker, by the saffron brigade workers
earlier in the day.
The BJP workers' attack was again in retaliation to the attack on their
party colleague Nannu by the CPI(M) some days ago.
Given the fact that the BJP has never won any parliamentary or Assembly
seat in Kerala whereas the CPI(M) is either leading the ruling Front or the
largest party in the Opposition, the clashes appear to be somewhat
incongruous.
However, despite the empirical status of the BJP as a non-entity, clashes
between these two parties have become inevitable, primarily over the
support of the Hindu populace in Kerala, something which is corroborated by
all, including the CPI(M) and the BJP.
Says BJP State secretary M S Kumar: "There is a continuous flow of the
CPI(M) supporters switching over to the BJP and the RSS. The Muslim
populace in the State rallies behind the Muslim League (IUML). The
Christians are with various factions of the Kerala Congress.
Consequently, the CPI(M) is dependent upon the support of Hindus and,
hence, the clashes between the BJP and the CPI(M)." he says.
According to the BJP State secretary, at least 15 BJP workers have lost
their lives at the hands of the CPI(M) workers since May 1996. The 15
killed include three BJP workers who died by drowning while fleeing from
CPI(M) attackers.
The Hindu factor was also cited by CPI(M) State Secretariat member Kodiyeri
Balakrishna while explaining the "hostility" between the CPI(M) and the BJP.
"The BJP's grudge against the CPI(M) is due to its inability to penetrate
among the Hindu electorate, " he said. According to the CPI(M) leaders,
the "class" factor has also played a role in the BJP-CPI(M) clashes.
"In 1970, when the Kerala Land Reform Act was introduced, there was a big
agitation by the CPI(M)-led peasantry. At that time, there was class
polarisation and all the landed classes rallied behind the Congress and the
RSS. At that time, there were a lot of clashes. This phenomenon persists
even now," he added.
Mr Balakrishna said the RSS had organised two camps in Idukki and Kanpur
last month. Subsequently, RSS-BJP workers disrupted a public meeting of
the CPI(M) in Kozhikode. Nine CPI(M) workers were seriously injured in the
incident and had to be hospitalised.
An Intelligence official told The Pioneer that both the "Hindu" and "class"
factors have been playing significant roles in the clashes between the
CPI(M) and the BJP. In a particular Urea, however, one of the factors may
be more dominant than the other, he said.
He added that in Kasaragod district bordering Karnataka, there has been an
erosion of the CPI(M) bases in favour of the BJP. "It is an ongoing
process," he said.
In Malappuram, Kerala's only Muslim-majority district, there is an
emergence of the Muslim rich class and, consequently, the Hindu -- feeling
cornered -have started falling back on the BJP as they find the CPI(M)
unworthy of their purpose," the official said.
Meanwhile, Nadapuram -where there have been a spate of clashes between the
BJP and the CPI(M) recently, including the latest killings of the two
saffron brigade workers -- has not witnessed any more violence owing to
beefed-up security.
Three LDF Ministers -- Mr T K Ramakrishna, Mr K E Ismail and Mr A C
Shanmughadas -- would visit the affected areas as part of the peace
initiative launched by the State Government.
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