Thiruvananthapuram ∙ Congress is taking the ‘Kerala Plan’ of the BJP central leadership more seriously with Anil Antony wearing saffron. CPM is also approaching new moves with caution. Except former MP AP Abdullakutty, former president of Devaswom Board G. Raman Nair and former chairman of PSC Dr. KS Radhakrishnan, no one left the Congress and went to the BJP camp. But a handful of prominent people including former Union Minister KV Thomas joined the LDF. Kerala leaders V. Muralidharan and K. Surendran were present at the stage where Anil Antony joined the BJP, but this was an ‘operation’ directly conducted by the central leadership.
In order to win in Kerala, minority votes are also needed, so the party is taking steps to gather them. This was done because the RSS and the Vishwa Hindu Parishad had to be convinced first that the minority should be given representation on the party platforms. BJP centers describe Anil’s arrival as just one of the reflections of such moves that have been going on for two years. They also predict that within three months, something else can be expected. There are even rumors that Anil will be considered as a candidate if the by-elections are held in Wayanad.
Minority votes are crucial for Kerala’s success or failure, while the BJP is taking it. The state committee of the CPM had assessed that the game of putting Governor Arif Muhammad Khan in front was to attract the Muslim minority. Both the fronts are already on alert in their efforts to attract Christian votes.
Congress has decided not to give too much importance to Anil’s departure. As it was Good Friday, AK Antony skipped his late visit to KPCC office yesterday. Many people tried to contact him on the phone but could not be reached. Anthony’s position is that this should not be raised as a father-son argument. UDF convener MM Hasan visited him in the evening. After the meeting, Hasan said that Antony is going through the biggest sorrow of his life.
English Summary: Kerala Plan of BJP
