Kanam created quite a flutter when he remarked that it was time the left parties stopped appeasement of the minorities in the name of secularism. The policy, Kanam said, has resulted in the alienation of majority community voters from the left parties, especially Ezhava voters, who constitute the backbone of the CPI(M) in particular.

That Rajendran’s statement has touched a raw nerve in the CPI(M) is clear from the strong reaction from CPI(M) state secretary, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. In a quick reaction to Kanam’s remark, Kodiyeri has said that the CPI(M) is not ‘guilty’ of minority appeasement and that the party stood committed to the cause of secularism.

Another CPI(M) leader, Anathalavattom Anandan is also on record that CPI(M) is firm in its commitment to strengthening secularism. But safeguarding the interests of the minorities is part of the party’s policy on secularism, Anandan added.

Rajendran’s statement has to be viewed against the backdrop of the phenomenal increase in the votes of BJP in the Aruvikkara by-election. It may be mentioned that BJP candidate O. Rajagopal had managed to record a five-fold rise in the party’s votes – from a mere 6000 odd votes in 2011 to over 34,000 votes in the 2015 by-election.

The CPI(M) has tried to draw comfort from the fact that the erosion of votes is not confined to the party alone. The BJP has succeeded in making inroads into the votes of the Congress-led United Democratic Front as well.

Whatever fine spin the CPI(M) may put upon the disturbing implications of the alarming increase in BJP’s vote share, the fact remains that the development constitutes a serious setback for the left parties.

Instead of joining issue with Kanam, the CPI(M) must indulge in serious introspection. However hard the CPI(M) may deny it, the fact remains that even the erstwhile Left Democratic Front Government had tried to appease the minorities by doling out concession after concession to the minorities, especially in the field of education.

The need of the hour for the left parties and the Congress is to buckle down to the task of countering the rapid growth of communal forces in a state which is known for its progressive thinking and as a bastion of secularism. If they are sincere in their approach to the task, even those forces which had been alienated by the minority appeasement policy, may gravitate back to the left. That much is clear from the statement of Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana Sangam (SNDP) general secretary, Vellappally Natesan, who has welcomed Kanam’s statement. The SNDP, it must be noted, is now in the BJP camp. But it is evident from Natesan’s statement that, if the left parties mend their ways, there could be a ‘return’ of the Ezhava voters who have switched their allegiance to the BJP.

The left parties have been forewarned. Now it is time for them to be forearmed by taking effective and speedy steps to check further erosion of Hindu votes and bring back those who had deserted them in the wake of what Kanam called ‘minority appeasement’ policy. Failure to do so would result in West Bengal repeating in Kerala. Kanam’s is a timely warning, and the CPI(M) would do well to pay heed to it and act accordingly without further loss of time. (IPA)