Solutions to Change

Dr D Dhanuraj As always, the discussion on the exit poll results has caught the attention of every Malayalee this time also. The majority of the exit polls predict that LDF will form government in Kerala with a notable exception of one NewsNation forecasting a hung assembly. The exit polls have generated unprecedented discussion in Kerala society for a few reasons. This time, the elections in Kerala did not show any trend favouring any front and it was fiercely contested one, even agreed upon by the fronts. The voters in Kerala was enamoured by the presence of a strong BJP – BDJS alliance:- NDA and it is said to boost the election spirits this time around.   Unlike in the earlier polls, this time the campaign was devoid of any governance agenda and rather it thrived more or less on the personality vs corruption charges levelled against them from all the sides. Even though it is the turn of the left parties to form the government as per the usual trend in Kerala...

By Prof KC Abraham* There is a deep sense of concern in the secular, progressive and democratic mind of Kerala about the result of the May 16 th Assembly election. The anxiety oscillates between optimism and pessimism; pessimism about the end of era of secular social living and the continuation of the political group in government, infamous for its notorious political culture. It is an anxiety about the possible emergence of communal political force as a decisive force. Optimism hinges on the end of a shameless innings of plunder, corruption and deception, over the years. This optimism resides on the possible coming of a responsible, corruption-free, transparent governance with a perspective agenda of development for Kerala’s march ahead as a unique society with an exceptional dynamism and functioning as an exemplary model for other states. Lessons of Electoral Experience The election experience of Kerala since 1957 has been the success of the either of the sec...

By Dr D Dhanuraj Another election is around the corner in Kerala and the attempts to appease the voters from every quarter is at its peak. Kerala is known for coalition governments for decades, and it has been one of the mainstays of politicking in the Gods Own Country for all those who want to have a share in the government. The coalition governments across the world are subjected to criticism for its lackadaisical approaches and appeasement of the minority partners in the coalition to survive in the corridors of the power. Detractors hold the accountability of the system in Kerala for the very same reasons. The entry of another front called NDA in addition to LDF and UDF reaffirmed the conformities with the coalition practices in Kerala. No wonder a national party like BJP tried their best to enter Kerala by abetting the formation of a new party (BDJS) and partnering with them to open their account in the hitherto unconquered frontier. Naturally, the situa...