C K Janu's saffron alliance all set to split Adivasi Gothra Maha Sabha

KOZHIKODE: Adivasi Gothra Maha Sabha, the tribal organization that led the landmark agitation of landless tribals in the Muthanga range of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary in 2003, is heading for a split after its popular face C.K. Janu is mooting a tie-up with BJP-BDJS alliance in Wayanad.

BJP-BDJS leadership has already met C.K. Janu and almost finalized her candidature in Sulthan Bathery legislative constituency. However a section of leaders in the Janadhipathya Ooru Vikasana Munnani (JOVM), the newly formed political outfit led by M Geethandan, the noted tribal-dalit leader has already came out against the move.

It is to be recalled that it was M Geethanandan who stood along with Janu till the last in when Adivasi Gothra Maha Sabha, the tribal organization led the agitation of landless tribals in Wayanad. After the bloodstained end of the agitation the duo were brutally beaten up by the police.

C.K. Janu told Deccan Chronicle that she does not feel it a crime to strike an electoral tie-up with the alliance. “Both UDF and LDF never considered the tribal politics and groups seriously and neglected us entirely, she said. “It is for the first time an alliance headed by a prominent political party (BJP) approached us for an alliance”, she said. “In fact the existing fronts tried to destroy us”, she said.
“If they are ready to treat us as a constituent of the alliance in the state we would be joining”, she said.

Meanwhile, Mr Geethanandan told Deccan Chronicle that the decision of Janu might be taken by her own and the organization Janadhipathya Ooru Vikasana Munnani (JOVM) has nothing to do with it. “I don’t believe that she would take such a decision. Such a move would be harmful for her as a person and also for the tribal movement she heads,” he said.