THIRUVANANTHAPURAM:
In politics, as in life, what matters the most is perception. And the
perception fast gaining ground in Kerala is that the Travancore Devaswom Board
(TDB) has, once again, succumbed to the pressure of the Left Democratic
Front(LDF) on the sensitive Sabarimala issue.
The
TDB’s somersault came before the Supreme Court which was hearing a score of
review petitions on the Sabarimala issue on Wednesday. In what its detractors
called a complete U-turn, the TDB came out in support of the Supreme Court
order of September 28, 2018 lifting the ban on women of menstruating age
entering the Sabarimala temple.
And
the growing perception – It is the reality, argues the opposition parties – is
that the TDB changed its stance under pressure from the Pinarayi Government.
Whatever
the reality, the TDB’s U-turn has offered an opportunity for the opposition
parties in the state, Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) and the
BJP-RSS combine to put the State
Government on the mat and milk the Sabarimala issue once again.
The
subsequent change in the political situation with the opposition parties
wresting the political initiative has
caused concern among the LDF circles. Though they are putting on a brave front,
the sense of nervousness over the possible adverse impact of the TDB’s
somersault is palpable.
True,
the Government has not changed its stand on the sensitive issue. But the
impression that the TDB reversed its position because of pressure from the
government has drawn flak from various quarters. And the Government will find
it extremely hard to rebut criticism on this account.
Conversely,
a jubilant opposition is out to cash in on the discomfiture of the LDF and its
Government. It has lost no time in lambasting the Government. The Sabarimala Karma Samithi, openly
supported by the BJP-RSS, has fired the first salvo by announcing its decision
to observe a protest day on February 8 against the TDB and the State
Government.
The
opposition feels that the LDF will have to pay a heavy price because of the
change in stand by the TDB. It could affect the prospects of LDF candidates in
at least half a dozen constituencies in the neighbourhood of Sabarimala, the
opposition sources claim.
On
its part, the TDB has, of course, denied having changed its stand. It is
nothing but baseless propaganda by the opposition, claims TDB chief A
Padmakumar. We did not file a review petition. All that we did was to file a
delay petition requesting time for implementation of the apex court’s order of
September 28 on grounds of lack of infrastructure to facilitate the women’s
entry and the difficulties the TDB is facing in the aftermath of unprecedented
floods which ravaged the state recently, he opined.
In
a counter-attack, the TDB has said that it is the Congress and the BJP-RSS
which have changed their stand. Both, the TDB chief pointed out, had initially
welcomed the SC judgment. They reversed their stand after smelling an
opportunity to expand their base exploiting the issue.
Whatever
the denouement, the TDB and the State Government have their task cut out. The
immediate job is to counter the combined attack of the opposition. The earlier
the LDF gets its act together, the better. (IPA
Service)
The post Fallout Of Tdb’s Somersault On Sabarimala Issue appeared first on Newspack by India Press Agency.
