Interview/ M.A. Baby, general secretary, CPI(M)
Q/ The leader of the opposition has accused the CPI(M) of engaging in communal politics similar to the BJP. Your response.
Equating the CPI(M) with the BJP has become a routine political narrative promoted by the Congress and the UDF. But anyone in Kerala with even a basic understanding of arithmetic can see what has actually happened.
Take the example of the Nemom assembly constituency, from where a BJP candidate once won. If you closely examine the voting pattern in that election, the decline in the UDF vote effectively became the victory margin for the BJP.
A similar pattern was visible in the recent Lok Sabha elections in Kerala, the local body polls and on multiple occasions in the past.
The vote transfers and political collaboration between the BJP and the UDF can be demonstrated both arithmetically and historically. Yet, with the support of sections of the media, false allegations are often made against the LDF.
Q/ Is the CPI(M) reconsidering its earlier stance on the entry of women in Sabrimala as a matter of political pragmatism? The Travancore Devaswom Board has passed a resolution opposing the 2018 Sabarimala verdict. How do you respond to this development?
The CPI(M) and the left stand firmly for women’s equality and social progress. However, such changes also require social acceptance. Society needs to be educated and prepared for these reforms; they cannot be implemented unilaterally. Any social reform must take into account the readiness of society.
With regard to Sabarimala, there are different views within society. What was attempted earlier was not a decision taken by the LDF government on its own. It was the verdict of the Supreme Court. What was sought to be implemented at that time was the Supreme Court’s judgment. Now the Supreme Court itself is reviewing the matter. The party’s position is clear: we do have our views, but we do not believe that a party’s opinion should be mechanically imposed on matters of this nature.
Q/ Some CPI(M) leaders are facing investigation in the Sabarimala gold theft case. They have not faced organisational disciplinary actions so far.
We have taken the correct decisions in these matters. The entire investigation is moving forward under the supervision of a special bench of the Kerala High Court. The government is not interfering in the investigation process. This has been categorically stated by the special bench overseeing matters related to Sabarimala. That goes to the credit of the Pinarayi Vijayan government.
During the local body elections, a parody song was widely circulated [by our political opponents] that connects the party to the main accused [Unnikrishnan] Potti. Now it has been clearly established that he gained access to Sabarimala when the UDF was in power.
Recently, we had an assembly session in which the government was willing to discuss every aspect of the Sabarimala issue. However, under the leadership of Mr V.D. Satheesan, the opposition walked out, saying they did not want a discussion. The question is—why did they refuse to discuss the matter?
If those associated with the CPI(M), who held certain responsibilities in Sabarimala, are found guilty, they will be removed from the party without anyone even demanding it.
The party has decided to keep those accused in the case out of party activities, and they have been served show-cause notices—a step that was not possible when they were in jail. Once the charge-sheet is filed, further action will be taken depending on the gravity of the charges and their response to the show-cause notices.
