BJP aims to seize power in Kerala by toppling CPM; S Sadanandan Master to Rajya Sabha

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The BJP estimates that it can seize power in Kerala in the near future if it can exploit the current situation where the state government's image is tarnished and further erode the strength of the CPM.

By nominating C. Sadanandan Master—a BJP state vice president and RSS leader who lost both legs 31 years ago in a CPM attack in Kannur—to the Rajya Sabha, the BJP has turned him into a symbolic weapon against the CPM. While the CPM often highlights Sangh Parivar violence to oppose the BJP in Kerala, the BJP’s goal is to counter-attack the CPM even on the national stage using strategic moves like this.

With the CPM apparently letting down even the Koothuparamba martyrs through the appointment of the new DGP, the BJP is highlighting its concern for those who sacrificed for the party. This is the first time someone with a strong party background from Kerala has been nominated to the Rajya Sabha by the President.

Meanwhile, President Droupadi Murmu has nominated three other individuals from diverse fields:

Ujjwal Nikam, a BJP leader and the public prosecutor who secured the death sentence for Mumbai terrorist Ajmal Kasab,
Harsh Vardhan Shringla, former Foreign Secretary,
Dr. Meenakshi Jain, noted historian and academic.

The BJP’s earlier political strategy in Kerala focused on a Congress-mukt Bharat. The effort had been to win over minorities, who traditionally supported the Congress. Campaigns around issues like love jihad and Waqf were part of this effort. Now, the BJP is moving toward direct confrontation. The Bharat Mata slogan controversy involving Governor Rajendra Arlekar and the entry of RSS into universities are part of this direct approach.

Time for direct confrontation

1. Even though CPM has lost ground in West Bengal and Tripura, it still retains significant strength in Kerala. In the previous Lok Sabha elections, the BJP emerged first in 11 assembly segments and second in 19, which the party interprets as a clear indication that the moment has come for a head-on political battle.
2. The move also aims to counter the Congress’s accusation that there is a secret understanding between the BJP and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan’s CPM. The BJP believes it can now prevent anti-CPM votes from shifting to the UDF and instead consolidate them in its favour.

"Sadanandan Master's life is a symbol of courage"
– Prime Minister Narendra Modi