Kerala   

Not so happy days for KC(J)

KOTTAYAM: The selection of Mons Joseph as the ministerial candidate of the Kerala Congress (J), though by draw-of-lots, appears to be an indicator to the changing power balance within the party and could be be taken as a clear upset for the carefully orchestrated moves so far, which most believe was made in the larger interests of the party and with the blessings of party chairman P.J. Joseph.

It is not unlikely that the changed atmosphere may lead to the hardening of the stance by those opposed to the new developments pushing the party to a difficult position, as it was an open secret that in spite of the public posturing to the contrary there were strong lobbies working behind both the contenders to the throne, V. Surendran Pillai and Mons Joseph, the MLA from Kaduthuruthy.

Those supporting Mons Joseph had positioned their arguments on the consideration of representation for the Christian heartland in the Cabinet. The party needed representation from where it has a strong presence, they pointed out. However, the dominant argument so far was that such a move would in effect give credence to the theory of KC(J) being a communally oriented organisation.

Succumbing to such a theory would have not only created a big dent in the secular credentials to which the party was formally committed (they were made to declare it in unambiguous terms when they joined the LDF), but also would have tainted the image of the LDF. Interestingly, it was the party chairman who took the initiative in nipping such theories in the bud during the 44th anniversary meet of the party here on Tuesday. With a whiff of an interim Parliament election in the air, the concerns of the two KC(J) members of the Parliament, P.C. Thomas and Francis George, both members of the High Power Committee, who have very different political priorities, appear to have played a crucial role in the decision to draw-of-lots, in spite of the argument made in favour of Mr. Pillai that abandoning him at this crucial moment would result in the disenchantment among the sizable presence of the members of his community not only in Thiruvananthapuram, but also in the party’s home turf, Idukki district.

In fact, the selection of Mons Joseph through draw-of-lots, has come as a surprise to observers of the political developments during the past more than a month. Even during the 44th anniversary celebrations of the party on Tuesday, there were clear signals regarding Mr. Pillai’s dominace in the race for the position as the first alternative.

The leadership not only upheld the secular credentials of the party in unequivocal terms and accepted seniority as the main criterion but also ranked the party hierarchy, placing Mr. Pillai closely behind the two members of Parliament and ahead of Mons Joseph during the formal functions.

However, the history of Kerala Congress is rife with examples of such upset victories often leading to much wider polarisations.

Now, it appears, it is the turn of the KC(J) to go through the ritualistic tight rope walking.

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