Devotees are key to a third term: CPM eyes Global Ayyappa Summit for political advantage

KOCHI: Strong indications have emerged that the CPM is trying to consolidate support among believers as part of its strategy to secure a third consecutive term in power. Political observers note that the party’s softened stance on the Sabarimala women’s entry issue is a reflection of this approach. The plan is to strengthen its vote base by involving major community organisations like the SNDP Yogam and the NSS in the Global Ayyappa Summit scheduled for September 20th. This was made clear by CPM state secretary M.V. Govindan, who openly stated on Tuesday that the party stands with devotees and that the Sabarimala women’s entry issue “is a closed chapter.”

Although the Travancore Devaswom Board is officially organising the Ayyappa summit, political observers say the CPM is working behind the scenes to design its political impact. The party's goal is to put the UDF and the BJP on the defensive. Govindan reiterated that the CPM has always been with believers. Meanwhile, the Devaswom Board is moving to file corrective petitions in court regarding the women’s entry case.

Recognising the political motives behind the Ayyappa summit, the UDF has decided not to cooperate. The BJP, on the other hand, has sharply criticised the NSS leadership, viewing it as part of this political game.

Target: Preventing erosion of Ezhava votes
The SNDP Yogam leadership has maintained close ties with the LDF since the first Pinarayi government. However, the CPM is now concerned about the recent erosion of support from its traditional Ezhava vote base. Relations with the NSS had also been strained during the Sabarimala women’s entry controversy, when the NSS sided with the BJP. A recent visit by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to meet NSS General Secretary G. Sukumaran Nair, who was undergoing treatment after an accident, was seen as an attempt to repair ties.

The government has also faced criticism from some minority communities recently. Still, CPM leaders calculate that standing together with both SNDP Yogam and NSS will help the party counter the UDF and BJP. Meanwhile, Punnala Sreekumar, General Secretary of the KPMS, who had supported the government during the Sabarimala controversy under the Navodhana Samrakshana Samiti, criticised the government’s change of stance. However, he confirmed that he will attend the Ayyappa summit.