Kerala's LDF government was almost into a tail spin with quite a few scams popping up with a sickening regularity, over the past few months. The few that I can remember are :-
* The gold smuggling case through the diplomatic channel * The life mission case - where huge commissions were siphoned off from the project that was providing low cast housing for the people * The k-fone investigation where miles of semi conductor cables are in the process of being laid for establishing wi-fi spots all over the state * The engagement of the Price Water Cooper agency, a US-based IT company whose background seems to be under the scanner.
The cases are in various stages of probe by the Enforcement Directorate, the Customs authorities and the NIA. The probe agencies have even entered the inner circle of the chief minister's secretariat by zeroing in on CM Raveendran, the Asst PS to the chief minister.
The local body elections to take place at such a point of time, for any government, could turn out to be disastrous in the final reckoning.
In addition to the scams listed above, Bineesh Kodiyeri, the younger son of the CPM's state party secretary was jailed for getting entangled in a drug pushing case costing the former his party position!
Despite all these, the LDF has done quite well in the local body elections and I congratulate the dispensation for their fine showing. I was trying to figure out as to how it had pulled off such a massive victory from a position of weakness and here they are :-
* The general public has not taken the scam charges seriously. No accused can be punished until proved guilty! * The government's management of the disastrous times viz. the Nipah attack, the back to back floods that had caused massive losses and the Covid containment have given it a credibility in the eyes of the people * The UDF was in a total disarray with its constituents fighting with each other and its leadership was all at sea * The BJP is yet to become a cogent party in the state.
You will understand my dilemma, about being a novice in understanding politics, when I narrate the next story.
* * *
The caretaker of my dad's house, the Raj Nivas, had stood as an independent candidate at the Nadutheri Ward of the Thalavoor Panchayat in Kollam district. When he'd spoken to me one early morning, last month, seeking my permission and blessings to do so, I'd endorsed him and given my backing even offering to canvas for him, if the Covid situation improved in between. He was enthusiastic and was sure that he'd win without any difficulty.
There were enough of impediments towards the run up to the filing of the nomination papers. The LDF and the UDF asked him to withdraw from the fray but when the BJP had fielded its candidate, something told me that his detractors had done this to split his votes.
He is a well meaning, persevering, hard working, sincere and clean person who has no greed for money! I and my family can vouch for it.
When he had called me around a half past 3, this afternoon, his broken voice said it all. Gone was the confidence as well as the bluster and he was sad that even people, whom he thought were his close friends and supporters, had ditched him towards the end. I could only offer my shoulders for him to unburden his woes and let go his angst that he was holding on, perhaps for a long while - leading to long silences in between the conversation.
He would have really worked hard for for the good of the people of the Ward but they don't deserve him! That funny feeling down in the pit of my stomach continues even as I punch in these thoughts of mine!!
We are still not a mature democracy where well meaning people are elected by the people as a matter of course!
Tailpiece.
Today's the first day of the Malayalam month of Dhanu. The previous month of Vrishchikam seems to have sped past! Today's also the 'Kuchela dinam' where the poor friend of Sri Krishna, Sudama or Kuchela had gone to meet him at his palace much to the happiness of the good Lord.
Got up at 6, the chores and the usual Wednesday 'aarathi' of the house was performed and I was ready by a quarter to 10. Didn't waste my time in front of the television for the election results but I was getting frequent updates from friends and well wishers.
It's Bibitha, the LDF candidate - the seasoned of the three candidates - who has won in this Ward. I wished her well when she had called up to share the happy news.
The melancholia - of Vijayan's angst - persisted all through the evening.
Hoisted the Christmas Star at the balcony of our house. It shall be there till we ring in the new year. The light, inside the star, did not work!
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