Bargate, solar take toll
THIRUVANANTHPURAM: The Oommen Chandy Government has been done in by the voters’ perception of corruption rather than the veracity of allegations, especially the controversial decisions of the Cabinet towards the fag-end of the UDF tenure. Sociologically, the phenomenon is referred to as the Corruption Perception Index (CPI). The index has been too tumultuous to counter the Chandy slogan of “development with care” and the threat of CPM violence.
Though Mr Chandy had tried desperately to counter the corruption charges holding on to technicalities and the occasional reprieve that he received from the vigilance department, the people were not convinced as the exit polls seem to convey. Bar bribe issue, solar fraud, Cabinet decisions, which some bureaucrats referred to as “last minute greed” have spoilt the party for the UDF.
Mr Chandy tried to shift the political discourse from corruption to his government’s achievements such as mega projects- Kochi metro, Kannur airport, SmartCity- and social welfare measures like Karunya benevolent fund. But his 24/7 working style, accessibility factor and mass contact programme had not swayed the voter as much as the CPI, which was against his Government.
This despite LDF’s failed anti-corruption agitations in the last five years.
On the political front, Mr Chandy was seen hobnobbing with SNDP chief Vellapally Natesan hoping to take away a big chunk of Ezhava votes from the LDF. In fact he even went to the extent of saying that in several constituencies the main fight was between UDF and BJP and the CPM would be a poor third.
Mr Chandy’s statement dented UDF’s secular image even raising concern among minorities. Many believe the LDF succeeded in running a campaign against the CM, accusing him of adopting a soft Hindutva line. Clearly the verdict on May 19 is set to chart a new political course in God's Own Country.
