KERALA CHIEF MINISTER Pinarayi Vijayan is a relieved man. As the pilgrimage season at the Sabarimala temple—the first one after the Supreme Court allowed the entry of women of menstrual age—came to an end, he had the air of someone who had managed to tide over the political storm successfully. The unprecedented floods last year brought his leadership and administrative skills to the fore, and he received much appreciation from all quarters. But, his aggressive posturing in support of the Sabarimala verdict won him both bouquets and brickbats. While diplomacy has never been his strong point, political astuteness and crisis management certainly are.
Some may not agree with the manner in which he welcomed and implemented the Sabarimala verdict, but Vijayan insists that his government did not show any “unnecessary haste” in implementing the order. “We did only what we are constitutionally bound to do,” he tells THE WEEK.
Vijayan also discounts the increasing influence of the BJP in the state and pins his hope on Kerala’s strong secular fabric. While he agrees that people in a democracy have the right to protest and that hartals are a medium of protest, he says they should be the last resort. “Unfortunately, the BJP and the RSS have organised seven hartals after the Supreme Court verdict on September 28, 2018, for flimsy reasons. They just want to tarnish Kerala’s image outside,” he says. “I believe people will realise their heinous intentions.”
A stickler for meeting deadlines, Vijayan insists that the floods and the Sabarimala controversy have not affected the government’s development initiatives. In fact, the chief minister sounded very confident about the pace at which various infrastructure projects are being completed. According to him, the long-pending Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) pipeline will be completed soon. The Kochi-Koottanad-Mangaluru-Bengaluru pipeline, with a project cost of Rs2,915 crore, was commissioned in 2013, but was delayed owing to protests and litigation. The floods further hampered the project’s progress. Likewise, the much-delayed national highway widening project will be completed by 2020, he says. Another project that the chief minister has his eyes on is the ambitious national waterways project from Kovalam in the south to Bekal in the north. The first phase of the 610km project will cost Rs2,300 crore. Quite aware of its potential to boost the state’s tourism avenues and transportation facilities, Vijayan says the project will meet its 2020 deadline. He is also happy that Kerala is increasingly becoming a technology hub, with many global brands like Nissan, Microsoft and IBM opening their centres here. He recently inaugurated the country’s biggest startup incubator—the Integrated Startup Complex—in Kochi.
Vijayan sure sees no contradiction in being a “committed Marxist” and a “pragmatic entrepreneur” at the same time. A facet of his pragmatism comes through in the interview when he says that the CPI(M) is open to a national alliance with the Congress if it changes its anti-people policies. Edited excerpts:
You have been facing a challenging time. First, it was the floods. Then came the Supreme Court verdict on Sabarimala, which landed the state in a severe turmoil. How do you plan to take the state out of the current mess?
The people of Kerala displayed impeccable fortitude and resilience during the floods of 2018. We overcame the disaster in an admirable manner. It will remain as one of the finest chapters of our history as a people.
The current issue is a lesser one, both in scope and scale. Your description of the events as ‘severe turmoil’ is incorrect. There are some problems, which are primarily driven by political interests. Social changes often encounter some resistance, which is understandable. But, this time, some of the opposition parties used it as an opportunity to make political gains. The BJP and the RSS have even unleashed violence on the streets. They will soon realise their mistake. The Kerala Renaissance is a living memory and its values are deep-rooted. Kerala will always embrace progressive changes.
You took a huge risk by implementing the Supreme Court order on Sabarimala without delay. Many blame the unnecessary haste to implement the order for the turmoil. How do you respond to that?
Faith, fight: A protest in Palakkad following the entry of two women at Sabarimala temple | AFP
There is no question of any ‘unnecessary haste’. We did only what we are constitutionally bound to do. Our actions are not marred by either haste or delay. As per the ruling of the Supreme Court, the state is bound to provide security for women devotees who visit Sabarimala.
The worst may be over. But, it is a fact that the Sabarimala developments have wounded many genuine believers. And, this includes many left sympathisers who have traditionally voted for the CPI(M). How will you assuage those hurt feelings?
The sangh parivar’s attempts to create trouble in Sabarimala and all over the state, by challenging the Supreme Court verdict may have wounded genuine believers. People of Kerala are well aware that the protests are being organised by the sangh parivar and they do not have the support of devotees. People who vote for the left do so because of the work it has done towards improving the lives of common people. Time and again, we have proved that our constituency is not swayed by such issues.
The state unit of the BJP had been repeatedly asking for the dismissal of the state government on grounds of law and order situation. Do you foresee any such possibility?
I am not aware of any such demands from the state leadership of the BJP. Law and order in Kerala is one of the best in the country. And, of course, we do not foresee any such possibility. This is an election year, so it is bound to get noisy.
The BJP is increasingly making inroads into Kerala after years of desperate efforts. But, you have repeatedly said, “The sangh parivar’s strategies in other states will not work in Kerala.”
The recent bypoll results suggest otherwise, be it in the Chengannur assembly constituency or the Malappuram Lok Sabha constituency. The outcome of recent byelections to local bodies has also proved that the BJP is losing ground, and its recent attempts with violence are intended to hide its irrelevance.
What gives you the confidence to discount the influence of the RSS? Is it the experience of having fought the RSS from the very beginning of your political career?
When I say that the RSS strategy will not work in Kerala, it is not solely based on personal experience. Kerala has one the most progressive societies in the country and it is not fertile ground for politics of hatred.
Many a time, BJP president Amit Shah has said that the CPI(M) is its biggest enemy in Kerala, and not the Congress.
The BJP may find the CPI(M) a tougher enemy than the Congress because of our unfaltering stance on issues. The left is driven by its ideology, which is above and beyond the petty struggle for power. We never compromise on our principles and that makes the left forces a tougher enemy.
Your critics say that many of your actions, including the Sabarimala one, are intended to weaken the Congress in the state. Is it so?
The Congress in the state is on a self-annihilating drive. They do not seem to need any help with that.
But, Congress president Rahul Gandhi has been consistent in his attack against the RSS. Many people think that both the Congress and the CPI(M) should come together to fight the BJP. Is it the Kerala situation, where the CPI(M) and the Congress are direct opponents, that is stopping the two parties from coming together?
It is not about individuals; what matters are policies. We would be the first one to welcome the Congress if it changes its anti-people policies. And, state politics has no bearing on this.
Currently, you are the only communist chief minister in the country, and many look up to you to provide an alternative development narrative to the BJP’s. Have you been able to do so?
Kerala has shown the world the benefits of adopting an inclusive path for development. The achievements of the state in human development speak for itself. The left governments have played a crucial role in getting us here. We will take it further forward. The four missions that the government has formulated will help us in attaining our goals. LIFE (Livelihood Inclusion and Financial Empowerment) Mission is trying to solve the housing problem; Aardram is transforming the health sector; our schools are getting better thanks to the mission for public education; and Haritha Keralam is re-imagining the ways we interact with our environment.
Your party and government have made gender equality a slogan of the times. What kind of administrative steps do you plan to take to ensure that words match deeds? Will the Left Democratic Front ensure that women get adequate representation in the coming Lok Sabha elections?
Gender equality is not a mere slogan for us. We have walked the talk. From gender budgeting to Pink Police, we have introduced many schemes and formulated policies to ensure an inclusive development. Regarding seats in the elections, it is for the respective political parties to decide.
The world was in awe of Kerala’s resilience and unity during the floods. But, the Sabarimala verdict and the ensuing chaos destroyed that positive spirit. It has derailed your plans to “create a new Kerala”. How will you bring it back on track?
The Sabarimala issue has not derailed the plans to create a ‘Nava Keralam’. We are on course. Media attention might have been shifted to louder noises. But, if you pay close attention, you will see many inspiring efforts of people trying to rebuild the state. There is no dearth of positive spirit.
The LDF government has kickstarted many developmental projects in the last two years. Many global brands including Nissan, Microsoft, Fujitsu and IBM have chosen Kerala as their destination. But, the state has also seen numerous hartals in the last one year. Does it not affect the government’s efforts and reconfirm the state’s reputation as a place not conducive for doing business?
All infrastructure projects and development initiatives are progressing well. Of course, the deluge had affected a few projects like national highway widening and the GAIL pipeline project. However, we could resume them fast. I do not think hartals have affected our projects or development initiatives. In a democracy, people have every right to protest, demonstrate and agitate; hartal is one of the modes of protest. But, of course, as a last resort. I think all political parties and trade unions will agree with it. Unfortunately, the BJP and the RSS have organised seven hartals, after the Supreme Court verdict on September 28, 2018, for flimsy reasons. They just want to tarnish the image of Kerala outside. I believe people will realise their heinous intentions.
What can the state expect from the LDF government in 2019?
The state is making admirable progress in many sectors. The GAIL pipeline is nearing completion. The national highway widening project will be completed in 2020. And, the national waterways project, from Kovalam to Bekal, will also be completed in 2020. The immediate priority is to help rebuild the lives and [restore the] livelihoods of the flood-affected people. But, this has not taken us away from our efforts to achieve long-term goals. The infrastructure of the state is being overhauled. Sectors like IT and tourism are also making good progress. Kerala’s best days are ahead.