THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a positive development, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) has ended its anti-government agitation.
True, the decision has come a bit late in the day. But, as the saying goes, better late than never. It must, however, be said that the UDF got its timing terribly wrong. If only the decision had come at least two weeks ago, it would have lessened the damage the party’s original decision to hit the streets has caused.
Whatever the motive, now that the decision has come, a closer look at why the party called off the agitation is in order. Of course, it is not difficult to divine the reasons. There are clear signs that the tide of public opinion is turning against the UDF. A sizable section of the people had started resenting the agitation openly.
This is certainly not the time to play petty politics over covid. The blame game can wait for better times; in any case, the local bodies elections are likely to be held in December. Once the notification comes, the opposition can use the ‘ammunition’ it has stocked against the government. By showing an unseemly hurry to play politics, the Opposition parties have created a sense of revulsion among large sections of the population.
Obviously, the UDF has realized that persistence on the agitational path would take a heavy toll on its electoral fortunes. The UDF has already been weakened by a series of inner developments and setbacks. Besides, the LDF’s aggressive campaign that the Congress has reduced itself to the status of the BJP’s B team in the State is also effective. The immense political damage it can cause to the ideological moorings of the UDF is not difficult to realize. Hence the decision to leave the agitational path.
Another reason which has influenced the UDF decision is the criticism voiced by the judiciary. The Kerala High Court has not minced its words in expressing its disapproval of the agitation launched by the opposition parties during covid times. The Court, it may be remembered, had banned agitations and protests in view of the raging pandemic. But the Congress and the BJP have till now ignored the directive.
Angered by the continued defiance of its order, the High Court Chief Justice has frowned upon the Congress-BJP street protests resulting in violence and disruption of normal public life. It has, rightly, directed the Director General of Police (DGP) to take action against all those who have ignored the court order. Both the UDF and the BJP now clearly face the risk of the HC initiating contempt of court proceedings. No wonder, the UDF has decided to end the street protests.
What remains to be seen is whether the BJP would follow suit. But its track record and the aggressive statements being made by the State BJP leaders so far, are anything but inspiring. In fact BJP state chief has gone on to say that the agitation could continue even if it meant violating the covid protocol! Such is the passion for partisan politics of the BJP-led rightwing forces.
This is exactly the time for the Central BJP leaders to intervene and restore sanity. There should be a clear directive from the Centre asking the BJP in the State to give up its agitation. The big question is: will the BJP leadership rise to the occasion? Time alone can tell.
Whatever the denouement, the CPI(M)-led LDF Government has gained the moral upperhand. It has all along appealed to the opposition to end its agitation and cooperate in efforts to contain the spread of covid 19. With at least the UDF seeing reason, the LDF stands vindicated. That way, the LDF has wrested the political initiative from its political rivals. (IPA Service)