Central Travancore sees another political push with an eye on Catholic, farmer votes
Two years after a failed attempt to launch a political party, a group of former Kerala Congress leaders have joined hands to revive their plans, ostensibly with the backing of the BJP. The new movement, which has also garnered the support of a section of Catholic bishops, aims at resonating with the farming community of Central Travancore, which constitutes the core support base of the two major Kerala Congress (KC) factions.
As part of it, a farmers' conference was held in Kottayam on Friday under the banner of the Kerala Farmers' Federation. The federation is chaired by George J. Mathew, a former Kerala Congress chairman and former legislator from Kanjirappally. The event was organised with the support of P.M. Mathew, former legislator from Kaduthuruthy, and M.V. Mani. The trio is expected to address the media on Saturday to formally outline the objectives of their emerging movement.
A resolution passed at the conference has also authorised the leadership to 'fight for change, address the needs of the people and take timely decisions and actions.'
Mum on a new party
Amidst the speculation, the leaders have remained guarded about the possibility of launching a new political party. Instead, they maintained that the Kerala Farmers' Federation was established in 2016 with George J. Mathew as chairman with a commitment to protecting farmers' rights and interests.
Mr. Mathew, on his part, declined to confirm any political ambitions but said more details would be revealed on Saturday. Notably, Major Archbishop Emeritus Mar George Cardinal Alencherry and Mar Mathew Arackal, former Bishop of Kanjirappally, were invited to the conference but did not attend.
BDJS and CASA
The presence of BDJS national president Thushar Vellappally at the event has further stoked speculation. Observers suggest the initiative may be aimed at mobilising BJP-aligned Christian support in a bid to eventually integrate into the NDA fold. The organisers are also said to be seeking support from Christian organisations such as Christian Association and Alliance For Social Action (CASA).
A similar attempt had been made in April 2023, when the National Progressive Party (NPP) was formally launched with V.V. Augustine as its chairman, Johnny Nellore as working chairman, and Mathew Stephen as general secretary. However, the party's momentum waned quickly and Mr. Nellore stepped away from the project within a few months.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
30 minutes ago
- Time of India
On social media, counter-narrative builds against AAP govt's land pooling policy in Punjab
1 2 Jalandhar: At a time when the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt is at pains to push its land pooling policy, especially among farmers, activists and Punjabi netizens, not necessarily aligned to any political party, are playing a crucial role in bringing a counter-narrative, with the battle on the Punjabi social media space increasingly becoming aggressive. What can be an even bigger headache for the ruling party is that opponents of the policy have started invoking the terminology, expressions, and analogies of the three farm laws brought by the BJP govt, which led to the historical farm movement, and ultimately forced the Narendra Modi govt to withdraw them. While the opposition political parties and farm groups have staged protests, Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann has been taking jibes at the opposition parties and farm leaders to discredit them. However, the battle on social media is being driven more by the activists and netizens. The influential pro-farm social media account, 'Tractor 2 Twitter', which played a pivotal role on social media during the farm protest against the three farm laws, shared a poster on Thursday using the analogy: 'BJP's three black farm laws – (were) a conspiracy to snatch govt mandis'; 'AAP's black land pooling policy – a conspiracy to snatch fertile fields'. The activists and netizens are not confining themselves to rhetoric on the issue, but a few are digging deep to build their arguments. During the farm protest of 2020, activists of different ideological hues, including Sikh and Left-leaning groups despite strong differences among themselves, powered the narrative against the three farm bills on social media. The same scene appears to be evolving now. Conversely, not many AAP workers and supporters are coming forward to defend the policy online. They seem outnumbered and outmaneuvered, especially on Facebook, the preferred platform among Punjabi netizens. At least two individuals, who featured in AAP's pro-policy publicity campaign on social media, ended up giving clarifications, and both later said that farmers in their respective areas did not want land pooling. Their clarifications were widely shared by the anti-land-pooling-policy activists and netizens. Some of the former AAP workers and supporters are now also adding to the headache for the ruling party on this issue. In fact, it is not for the first instance of the AAP govt facing more opposition from non-aligned Punjabi activists and netizens. Most of them opposed the old parties like Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal, and BJP. Within three months of the formation of the Bhagwant Mann govt, a movement started by some environmental activists to oppose an industrial project at Mattewara forest land was given impetus by the pro-farm and Sikh activists, leading to the first mobilisation of people on the ground. A few opposition leaders also supported the movement. The Punjab govt then announced the withdrawal of the project. A similar dynamic was observed during the protests against the Zira distillery.
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
Cong suggests no trust move against govt, BJP says it will backfire
1 2 3 4 Bhubaneswar: Revenue and disaster management minister Suresh Pujari on Thursday warned that any attempt by the opposition to introduce a no-confidence vote against the Mohan Charan Majhi-led govt would backfire. This comes in response to OPCC chief Bhakta Charan Das's suggestion that his party might consider such a move due to increasing concerns over rising crimes against women in the state. "We are prepared to face any motion. We will highlight the govt's achievements. It will boomerang for them," Pujari said in response to the Cong leader's statement. Bhakta on Wednesday said the principal opposition party, BJD, should bring a no-trust motion against the BJP govt, which his party would support. Otherwise, BJD should support such a move by the Congress. Stating that the current govt is just one year and three months old, while Congress ruled Odisha for 40 years and BJD and its earlier avatar of Janata Dal governed the state for 35 years, Pujari said they have much to answer. "I would suggest they better come prepared with sufficient homework. We are ready," he said, adding that the track record of the two parties on women's issues is very bad, while the current govt has been very proactive in taking action. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Many Filipinos don't know about this! Read More Undo When asked about BJD's response, deputy leader of opposition and BJD MLA Prasanna Acharya said there is no point speculating over a hypothetical situation when dates for the next session of Vidhan Sabha have not even been notified. "Let the time come. BJD will take an appropriate decision keeping in mind people's and party's interest," he said. In the 147-member house, BJP has 78 members. While BJD has 51 MLAs, Congress has 14, besides four others. In case of a voting, BJP is comfortably placed, though Congress would use such a motion to draw attention to the perceived rise in crimes against women in recent days.
Time of India
31 minutes ago
- Time of India
Shivakumar vows to resume Mahadayiwork, dares Goa govt to block it
Bengaluru: Deputy CM DK Shivakumar on Thursday announced that Karnataka would resume the long-stalled Kalasa-Banduri project, brushing aside objections from both the Goa govt and the Centre. "We will withdraw our application from the Supreme Court and resume the work. I will see who stops it," Shivakumar said, responding to Goa chief minister Pramod Sawant's claim that the Centre would not issue environmental clearance for the project. He also asserted Karnataka's right over its share of Mahadayi waters and said tenders had already been floated based on the Mahadayi Water Disputes Tribunal's verdict. The Kalasa-Banduri project, which involves the construction of two dams across the Kalasa and Banduri tributaries of the Mahadayi river and a canal to carry water to the Malaprabha reservoir, has remained in limbo since 2006-07. The project was first launched during the JD(S)-BJP coalition regime under then CM BS Yeddyurappa and water resources minister KS Eshwarappa, but work was halted after Goa moved the Supreme Court seeking a stay. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Swelling and internal bleeding in the brain, help this baby Donate For Health Donate Now Undo You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Shivakumar accused Sawant of disregarding the federal system and also took aim at Karnataka's MPs for remaining silent. "It is wrong on the part of the state MPs not to raise their voice on this issue. We can't sell our state just for one MP from Goa. I urge the MPs from the state to put pressure on the Centre," he said. "This is a matter of self-respect for the state. I will meet all the MPs from the state and seek their support. " Clarifying that his criticism was aimed at the Goa govt and not the Centre, he said: "The union jal shakti minister is impartial on the matter, he won't do politics on this. I have met him four or five times. The union environment minister will also not do politics on this issue. Both of them support development works. The issue is with Goa." He further stated that a delegation of Karnataka MPs would soon be formed to meet prime minister Narendra Modi and central ministers. Chief minister Siddaramaiah also launched a scathing attack on the Centre, accusing it of sabotaging the project. "Despite the 2018 tribunal verdict allocating 13.4 tmcft of water to us, the Centre, hand in glove with Goa's BJP govt, is blocking the implementation of our rightful project. This project will quench the thirst of over 40 lakh people in Belagavi, Dharwad, Gadag, Bagalkot and nearby regions. It is a lifeline, not a bargaining chip. We will fight legally, politically, and morally until Karnataka gets its rightful share," he wrote on X. —— Photo caption: P4-Mahadayi Caught in dispute: The Kalasa-Banduri project, which involves the construction of two dams and a canal, has remained in limbo since 2006-07
