How BJP used allies to penetrate tribals; CPM leader reveals the Wayanad experience

Kalpetta: A glimpse into the working model of the BJP for penetrating the tribals,  was thrown by a CPM district level leader in Kerala's Wayanad district,  where tribal population is a major constituent,.  P Gagarin was former Wayanad district secretary and he said this in an interaction with MediaOne Malayalam channel.

Gagarin said that tribal leader C.K. Janu, heading the tribal body Gothra Mahasabha, and BDJS leader Thushar Vellappally are bridges for the Sangh Parivar. While CK Janu is a tribal leader who had fought for tribals’ rights without any political affiliation for quite some time, BDJS (Bharat Dharma Jana Sena), is the political extension of the Ezhava community organisation, Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam, headed by Vellappally Natesan, father of Thushar Vellappally.

Gagarin said the Sangh Parivar entered the tribal pockets through C.K. Janu as they infiltrated into the Ezhava fold through Thushar Vellappally. Both were allies of the BJP in the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) at certain times, but CK Janu later fell out with them.

Gagarin expressed the view that the Sangh Parivar no longer needs Janu and Thushar and the RSS can enter the tribal centers without their intermediary role.

"The [CPM] party has discussed in detail the Sangh Parivar's attempt to enter tribal villages. The Sangh Parivar has been trying to influence tribal villages by distributing various things with the aim of elections for a long time. The party has discussed it well. We have been able to stop the RSS's inroads in villages where the party had influence.”

In one panchayat alone, we have freed eight high-ranking officials from the hands of the RSS in a short period of time. We planned it.  C.K. Janu stood as a leader of the tribals. At first, she took an independent stance. C.K. Janu, who came in the name of the Gothra Mahasabha, later became the NDA candidate.

“BDJS was used very pointedly to penetrate the Ezhava sections of the BJP. At present, they have reached a point where even without BDJS and Thushar Vellappally aligning with the NDA, they can enter,” Gagarin said.