THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan seems to have done what the UDF or Congress leadership failed to do; bring all factions and leaders together to put up a strong fight against the government. The chief minister’s scathing attack on the Youth Congress for what it called the drama being carried out in the name of agitation on the issue of admissions to self financing medical and dental colleges, provided the much needed fuel to intensify the stir.
Though the hunger strike by Youth Congress leaders Dean Kuriakose and C.R. Mahesh began in front of the secretariat on September 20, it could not make much impact till Tuesday when the police cracked down on the protesters. The three-day BJP national council meeting in Kozhikode had also pushed the Youth Congress agitation into the background. But Pinarayi Vijayan’s no holds barred provocative attack on the Youth Congress in Assembly, had an electrifying effect not just on the youth organisation but also the Congress which was grappling with its internal problems post electoral setback.
Political observers say the pressure of agitating workers from the ground had forced the top leaders; KPCC president V.M. Sudheeran, opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala and Oommen Chandy to come together and take over the reins of agitation. The agitation has also come at a time when the BJP with the help of NDA partners like BDJS, is trying hard to emerge as a major opposition front with striking power.
It may be recalled that BJP led NDA had dealt a severe blow to the Congress in many constituencies, cutting into its traditional vote base. Congressmen are aware of the fact that if the trend continues, things would be worse during 2019 Lok Sabha elections. Clearly it is a do or die battle for the Congress to retain its stature as the principal opposition party in the state.
