The Vijayan Line

Pinarayi Vijayan has taken over as the Chief Minister of Kerala at a time when the state is experimenting with political violence of a deadly kind. Given the context of bitter political acrimony of the just-concluded election, it is rather reassuring that Vijayan has resisted the temptation of any kind of post-poll triumphalism. This non-confrontationist stance recommends itself even more forcefully in the face of the Kerala BJP promising to give no quarters to the new government; the saffron outfit feels that it has made ‘history’ in the recently concluded assembly elections and therefore it  was  entitled to have its say in a loud voice. The Kerala BJP leaders probably think that they would get commensurate ‘protection’ from a partisan Centre. 

The new Chief Minister, on his part, has adopted a conciliatory tone and has promised that he will be heading “everybody’s government” and that every citizen in the state will be worthy of  receiving equal attention and consideration. In normal course, such a stand would be deemed as a normal and natural approach for any democratically elected government. Unfortunately, in these partisan times the normal is no longer deemed desirable. West Bengal provides the example, where a pugnacious Chief Minister remains in a combative mood, always willing to give offence and take offence. This politics of relentless confrontation considerably reduces the space for good and responsible governance.

The Vijayan Line is important in the larger context. It should help create the necessary conditions for the Modi government to fulfill its commitment for infusing robustness in our federal polity. Kerala, West Bengal and Tamil Nadu have pointedly spurned the Modi allure and have instead opted for non-BJP political dispensations. After its victory in Assam, the BJP leadership has fallen for a narrative that positions the saffron outfit as the only national party; such heady stuff makes a party less tolerant towards opposition governments in states. This creeping intolerance was at work in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The much touted and much promised ‘vikas’ can be achieved only through a national effort, anchored in constructive collaboration between the states and the Centre. The Vijayan Line of conciliation and non-confrontation should become the national mantra.