Dalit Community Announces New Political Party in Kerala Following Alleged Exclusion by Congress
In a significant political development in Kottayam, members of the dalit community have declared plans to establish a new political organization named Dalit Samudaya Munnani (DSM). This move comes as a direct response to the alleged denial of candidacy to prominent thinker and writer Sunny M Kapicadu and tribal leader C K Janu by the Congress party.
Congress Accused of Abandoning Inclusive Politics in Kerala
Addressing a news conference on Thursday, DSM leaders asserted that Kapicadu and Janu were refused tickets because Congress has failed to politically include the dalit and adivasi communities. They emphasized that the inclusive politics proposed by Congress national leaders Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi at the Raipur Plenary was completely abandoned by the party's Kerala unit.
"This abandonment could lead to a dramatic change in the political climate that had turned favourable for the United Democratic Front (UDF)," stated DSM state committee members during the announcement.
Allegations of RSS Influence and Internal Party Governance Issues
The DSM leaders revealed that initially, RSS leaders including R V Babu and Sasikala opposed Kapicadu's candidacy. They claimed that some Congress leaders were too afraid to counter this RSS stance, highlighting what they described as oligarchic governance within the party.
"The influence and pressure from NSS in determining Congress candidates revealed the oligarchic governance within the party. This is extremely shameful and objectionable. If anyone suspects that RSS sleeper cells are operating within Congress, it would not be wrong," the leaders declared.
They further criticized Congress in Kerala for lacking a stance on the caste census proposed by the national leadership, calling this a clear example of their failure to address community concerns.
Public Sentiment and Electoral Implications
According to DSM leaders, Kapicadu had received assurances of a seat, and Congress leaders did not deny this even when it became a regular topic in media discussions. "Only on the day the primary list was announced was his candidacy opposed. There is strong public sentiment against this in Kerala, which will undoubtedly be reflected in the elections," they warned.
They reminded that during local body elections, the dalit and adivasi communities voted overwhelmingly in favour of Congress, granting them significant victories. "Since Congress could not consider the dalit and adivasi communities as a political entity, the unconditional support of these communities will be reconsidered, and they will support acceptable candidates," the leaders added.
Formation of a Broad Ambedkarite Political Platform
DSM state general secretary P A Prasad and organization secretary Bijoy David announced that neither the Left nor right fronts appear interested in considering the dalit and adivasi communities, who collectively hold approximately 20% of Kerala's vote share.
"In this situation, it has been decided to form a broad Ambedkarite political party under the leadership of Kapicadu, bringing together marginalized communities, minorities, backward classes, fisherfolk, women, different gender groups, and democrats," they explained.
The new party plans to actively participate in the electoral arena starting from the next general elections, positioning itself as a voice for those traditionally excluded from mainstream political discourse in Kerala.
