In the upcoming 2024 polls, the primary battleground in Kerala pits the CPI (M)-led LDF against the Congress-led UDF bloc. Despite being partners within the broader INDIA bloc, the CPI (M) and Congress are fierce rivals in the state. Notably, the CPI (M)-led Left bloc is strategically emphasizing the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA), despite its primary rival being the Congress rather than the BJP.
The Left Front, under the leadership of Pinarayi Vijayan, has placed considerable emphasis on the CAA, organizing protests and scheduling a significant rally in Kozhikode, slated for Friday, March 22. Political analysts suggest that the CAA serves as a potent tool for the ruling Left in Kerala to counter the resurgence of the Congress party in the state.
Pinarayi Vijayan has consistently taken a firm stance against the CAA, despite its limited impact on Kerala's populace. Labeling the CAA as discriminatory against Muslims, Vijayan has denounced its implementation as a tactic to sow communal discord and undermine constitutional principles.
The recent notification of CAA rules by the central government has stirred widespread reactions, particularly in states led by opposition parties. Kerala's outright rejection of CAA implementation, along with West Bengal and Tamil Nadu, underscores the political significance of the issue, especially amidst the fervor of election season.
The Left Democratic Front (LDF) government in Kerala, being the first to pass a resolution against the CAA in 2020 and vowing against the implementation of the National Population Register (NPR), has positioned the issue as a cornerstone of its campaign strategy for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
The move to challenge the CAA in court and withdraw cases related to protests against it underscores the LDF's commitment to opposing what it views as an unconstitutional law.
Despite Kerala's relatively low impact from the CAA compared to states like Assam and West Bengal, the CPI (M) is leveraging it as a crucial electoral issue. This strategic maneuver is crucial for the CPI (M) to maintain its national party status, especially in the face of electoral setbacks in West Bengal and Tripura.
Moreover, by vocally opposing the CAA, the LDF aims to consolidate support among minority communities, particularly Muslims, whose votes are pivotal in Kerala's electoral landscape. The presence of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) within the UDF further incentivizes the LDF's anti-CAA stance.
The LDF's opposition to the CAA also serves to remind voters of the Congress's perceived "soft-Hindutva" stance, positioning itself as the principled alternative to any BJP-aligned formation.
Key districts in North Kerala with substantial Muslim populations, including Wayanad, pose critical battlegrounds. The LDF's efforts to prevent a repeat of the 2019 election outcome, where the UDF secured a landslide victory, are evident in its vigorous campaign against the CAA.
Overall, the LDF's opposition to the CAA in Kerala transcends mere numbers impacted by the law, representing a broader political strategy to consolidate its support base, counter anti-incumbency sentiments, and maintain its stronghold in the state's political landscape.
