What is the role of our opposition? Many of the Keralites might ask this question themselves. There are a lot of serious issues that prevails in the state. When the opposition became passive, judiciary had to come forward and criticize the government on important public matters.
Most recently, the Kerala high court had criticized the state government for not maintaining the roads. There has been wide media reporting about the situation of the roads. But the opposition could not bring up the issue before the public effectively. When the high court severely criticized the government and commented “if there is anything like road in the state”, government had to announce soon after for urgent maintenance plans.
Not only on this matter, look at what happened in the forest land allegations against Minister Binoy Viswam? At last, the allegations turned around to former government and U.D.F. Finally, K.P.C.C president Ramesh Chennithala has asked 10 questions to the chief minister V.S.Achuthanandan. Many issues and controversies have gone unnoticed. This is the present day – opposition in Kerala.
Why does not UDF act as an active and creative opposition? This is the question many of the political think-tanks are asking.
There is a need for more aggressive methods. Perhaps the opposition can at least realize the pulse of the society and organize party and start democratic protests against the governments failures. Also getting the support of public support is important. Opposition is unable to draw proper attention of the general public and carryout a structured and systematic protest.
The leading parties in the front, Congress and League may have some setback in their organizational set-up. Even if these two parties have energetic leader row, they can’t organize any strong protests all over the state and especially in villages. On the other hand, being the cadre party, C.P.M has deep-rooted party programs in rural areas and are able to drive them against central government policies.
VS Achuthanadan started his rule with good image among the public. But now he is controlled by some inside pressures. At last, we feel pity over this old communist. He transferred Idukki district collector Raju Narayana Swami and says that the Government needed a strong collector there. If Swami is weak, why did V.S select him to send to Munnar for decisive action of protecting forest land from encroachers in the first place? Changing his stand and decisions by conquering to internal pressures is widely suspected. Even though C.P.M rules out any political pressures in the transfer of Narayana Swami, one definitely doubts that something is wrong.
But surprisingly enough, the opposition seem to be passive by just publishing some statements and questionnaires. In some issues opposition takes no stand at all. In some others, ruling front blackmails them to keep mum. This is the dangerous truth about Kerala politics. Why does the opposition fear ruling front? is it their lack of confidence or are they fearing that themselves will be caught for their wrongdoings? If their hands are clean, why should they mind L.D.F leader’s threats?
Issues will come and go. Besides making mere controversies, there should have been creative criticism and protest in serious issues which ultimately leads to action and good outcomes, punishment for the corrupt and culprit. The current attitude among opposition parties will lead to weaker democracy.
