Gimmick in Kerala

The resignation of nine MLAs owing allegiance to K.Karunakaran is a logical corollary to the formation of a new party, the National Congress Indira (NCI), by the latter and ends the protracted proxy war between the MLAs and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. Without resigning, these MLAs could not have remained in the Assembly and escaped the clutches of Anti-Defection Act if they had defied a party whip. But why Karunakaran waited so long to allow his MLAs to put in their papers is significant. Originally, he had the support of 27 MLAs and was nursing the hope that a majority of them would stand behind him when he split the Congress party.

This did not happen. Power is a great cementing factor and the Chief Minister won over many Karunakaran loyalists by dangling the spoils of office. That the ‘leader’ could ultimately keep only a small flock of eight MLAs with him is a personal setback for him, which would considerably reduce his clout in the days to come. Karunakaran has come a full circle with the number of MLAs supporting him having come down to the same number in the autumn of his political career.The MLAs have only willy-nilly allowed themselves to become pawns on the political chessboard of Karunakaran.

The resignation will in no way threaten the stability of the Chandy government, which still has the support of 89 MLAs in a house with a reduced strength of 130. But Karunakaran has risked the political careers of his nine loyal MLAs by asking them to quit their Assembly membership. If the Election Commission decides to hold byelections in their constituencies, there is little chance that they would be returned to the house, unless the Opposition LDF decides not to put up a fight against the UDF, which is a remote possibility.

The resignation has come when President A.P.J Abdul Kalam is scheduled to address the House on July 18 and finding nine seats empty will be an embarrassment for the Chandy government. The stage also is now set for more complex political manoeuvres. The immediate priority for both the fronts will be civic elections this year followed by the Assembly polls next year. While the NC(I) has a wide menu of issues for target practice, the Congress is left with very few options.