Vayalkilikal decides to keep off political parties in Keezhattoor

KOZHIKODE: Close on the heels of criticism over sharing the dais with BJP in Keezhattoor on Tuesday, Vayalkilikal has decided to stay away from functions of all political parties.

The event was BJP farmers’ march from Keezhattoor to Kannur that declared Keezhattoor as the Kerala CPM’s Nandigram moment.

Leaders of Vayalkilikal, Suresh Keezhattoor and Nambradath Janaki, had shared the BJP dais and it had evoked sharp responses from greens supporting the protest. “We need the support of all political parties. They are welcome to participate in our programmes. But we will not share their dais,” Mr Keezhattoor said. The solidarity panel which backs Vayalkilikal had alleged that BJP was trying to hijack the protest. 

“It should have been avoided. We all knew that BJP is most notorious towards farmers’ issues and they aim to forfeit all natural resources to corporates. What BJP is trying to attempt in Keezhattoor is to find a space like what they did in Aranmula,” observes Santhosh Kumar K., the coordinator of ‘Bhoo Adhikara Samrakshana Samiti’. But at the same time, he reminds that the threat of BJP scouting for a space in the red fortress of Keezhattoor might have prompted CPM to at least say that alternatives for bypass project could be explored. 

“What I understood is that Vayalkilikal has tried to use the BJP as a pressure tool to resolve the issue,” Mr Santhosh said. 

‘Paschima Ghatta Samra-kshana Ekopana Samiti’ state coordinator E.P Anil asserts that whatever little cooperation with BJP will derail the cause.  “RSS is positioned in the exact opposite of environment. It will be suicidal to fell into their trap,” he cautions. 

RMPI leader K.K Rema responded that CPM is the main convict in bringing BJP to the picture. “We are not under the impression that Vayalkilikal has any tie-up with the saffron party,” she said. Meanwhile, CPM is busy propagating Tuesday’s event as BJP-Vayalkilikal tie up.