With the State inching towards back-to-back elections, the Kerala Congress (M) appears to be reaping the benefits of its efforts to reconnect with its traditional vote base while staying firmly within the Left Democratic Front (LDF), with strong support from the CPI(M).
For the Jose K. Mani-led outfit, the big breakthrough came with two key legislation, namely the Kerala Land Assignment (Amendment) Act, 2023 and the draft Wildlife Protection (Kerala Amendment) Bill. Together, they have breathed new life into the party’s long-standing pro-farmer politics, striking a chord with high-range communities, including the Catholic Church. With that wind in its sails, the KC(M) is now gearing up to take settler farmers’ concerns to the next level.
The KC(M) is preparing to set up an expert committee for a comprehensive study of issues faced by farmers and high-range communities. A policy manifesto based on the findings will be presented to the LDF.
“Counting on voter fatigue and a possible anti-incumbency wave, the KC(M) has begun working on a plan to field candidates with strong community roots and family ties in the upcoming local body elections. The implementation of the Kerala Land Assignment (Amendment) Act, 2023, which regularises assigned lands that were being used in violation of earlier guidelines, and the draft Wildlife Protection (Kerala Amendment) Bill, which enables killing of any wild animal that enters residential areas and injures a person have given the party a major boost,” said a senior party leader.
These developments, he said, are expected to ease tensions with the Catholic Church, which has long voiced its displeasure with the State government over issues affecting settler farmers.
Encouraged by the government’s acceptance of its key demands, the KC(M) is now planning to push for solutions to other pressing concerns, such as stray dog menace and discrepancies in assessing the fair value of land.
“Beyond pushing for reforms, this has also effectively put to rest discussions about a possible shift of the Kerala Congress (M) to the United Democratic Front, a narrative that gained momentum in the wake of the Nilambur bypoll results,” admitted a senior UDF leader from Central Travancore.
