After the 2001 Kerala Elections

Well, the election 2001 is over.

First we have to congratulate Dr M.A.Kuttapan on his minister post. Dr Kuttappan, readers may recall, was the only MLA who came forward openly against the 'punyaham' incident. Vayalar Ravi himself and other Congress leaders kept a distance whereas many LDF leaders in a way justified the 'punyaham'! Guruforum also supports Vellapilly's statement that Dr Kuttappan who is an MBBS doctor should be given the Health Portfolio. There is no reason why a highly qualified doctor should just handle the 'harijan' affairs alone!

SNDP's Role

It is fair to say that SNDP Yogam can claim some impact over the election results. We have to say congratulations! Most notably Yogam followers voted against LDF in large numbers, asserting their independence and showing that 'we' are no one's votebank. P.J.Joseph Kerala Cong (group?) admitted that Yogam played a role in his defeat. Yogam has every right to defeat whomever Yogam thinks has been detrimental to its objectives. One doesn't has to be apolegetic about it at all.

One of the key factor was that Yogam supported candidates belonging to all castes not just Ezhava Community. In fact, if we believe the report (it was in fact an accusation) in Keralasabdam, Yogam supported a non-ezhava candidate against an ezhava candidate. T.N.Prathapan of Nattika defeated sitting MLA and minister Krishnan K of CPI. It should be noted that in 1996 SNDP Yogam President Dr Rahulan lost to Krishnan by over 9000 votes! Prathapan is also an active worker against the liquor consumption. Guruforum say: Congratulations!

Ministers

Newspaper reports say that there are 5 Christian, 5 Nair, 5 Muslim and 4 Ezhava ministers + 1 Ezhava Speaker and 1 for Harijans.

Before commenting any further Guruforum does not believe in dividing minister posts strictly on caste lines. That is not the idea. The objective is to have ministers who can represent all, who are beyond any caste though one is born in a caste under present social setup. At the same time openness on the part of an organization or community should not be exploited by vested interest on the opposite side.

Let's have look at some of the ministers

1. Dr MA Kuttappan - We are glad that this non-corrupt politician is in the forefront of the fight for social justice. SNDP Yogam should continue to suuport Kuttappan. One should also investigate why Kuttappan did not get a big majority in Njarakkal. Looks like communal forces were against him there!

2. K.R.Gowri Amma. 82 years old veteran CPM leader standing as JSS. During her career in CPM, Gowri Amma has been known as a true Marxist, but never an Ezhava leader! We very much doubt Gowri Amma ever stood for Ezhava interests within CPM! In fact using people like Gowri Amma, EMS Namboothiripad & Co exploited ezhava and other low caste votes. Earlier in the 60s Marxists had made a promise that all the ministries after 1967 (which was led by EMS) will be led by a lower caste person (the hidden hint was at Nr 2 in the EMS Cabinet K.R.Gowri!). But when the time came in 1987, violating the promise, the real forces within CPM took control and out of nowhere an illiterate Nayanar became the Chief Minister!  Why didn't Gowri Amma resign then and there? Where was VS?

Now KR Gowri Amma is after Ezhava votes and want to represent Ezhavas? Too late! Too old. Too weak!

3. Babu Divakaran - Son of late T.K.Divakaran. RSP leader and confined to Quilon. Was RSP has been known for its leftist views and trade union movements. But we was it ever known for standing for Ezhava causes? Was T.K.Divakaran ever argued for an Ezhava Cause? We do not know! Also RSP is a dictrict level party with no appeal to people in other districts.

4. Kadavoor Sivadasan.

5. ?

6. Vakkom Purushothaman.

Former Governor of Andamans. Vakkom has been a little known as an ezhava man. Alright. But Vakkom lost against TK Anjelose once for Lok Sabha. With all the ezhava votes why did Vakkom lose there? We feel that though not as old as Gowri Amma, Vakkom too is past his prime! Again after becoming Governor one doesn't degrade oneslef to a Speaker's post!