Congress under fire as Dalit collective slams broken promises on tickets

Struggling to select candidates for the Assembly elections, the Congress encountered yet another jolt with a Dalit collective on Thursday coming out against the party for reneging promised candidacies for Dalit activist Sunny M. Kapikad and tribal leader C. K. Janu.

Addressing media persons in Kottayam on Thursday, Dalit Samudaya Munnani leaders alleged that Congress denied the candidature for Sunny under the pressure from the Rashriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Nair Service Society (NSS).

They also warned that Congress’ decision to abandon the inclusive politics put forward by Congress national leaders Mallikarjuna Kharge and Rahul Gandhi at the Raipur plenum will lead to a change in the political climate, which was favourable to the UDF.

“RSS – Sangh Parivar leaders such as R. V. Babu and Sasikala Teacher were the first to oppose Sunny’s candidacy. It is evident that some Congress leaders were reluctant to challenge the RSS’s stance. The influence and pressure from the NSS on key Congress leaders in candidate selection highlight the oligarchic tendencies within the party,” said P. A. Prasad, the organisation’s State general secretary.

“Sunny was assured a seat, and despite ongoing media discussions, Congress leaders did not refute this. It was only on the day the preliminary list of candidates was announced that certain Congress leaders, who align with Sangh Parivar interests, opposed his candidacy, jeopardizing the UDF’s prospects in Vaikom. There is strong public sentiment in Kerala against this. There is no doubt that it will be reflected in the elections,” he added.

The leaders added that the Congress party’s inability to acknowledge Dalit and tribal groups as a political block has prompted them to reconsider their unconditional support for the UDF in this election. They will now back candidates deemed acceptable. The Dalit collective also resolved to establish a new political party under Sunny’s leadership, with plans to contest upcoming elections.

Adding to the controversy, a Congress leader from Ernakulam, Ajay Tharayil, on Thursday also came out openly against the proposed candidature of Mr. Kapikkad through a Facebook post.