Food kit for votes: don't defame Kerala
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In the run-up to the Legislative Assembly elections, the distribution of food kits by the BJP in some constituencies of Thrissur district, Kerala to influence voters was caught and turned into a law-and-order issue on Sunday. In Vadanappally of the Manalur constituency, upon learning that food kits were being prepared for distribution centred at a supermarket, under BJP leadership, UDF workers led by their Manalur candidate T.N. Pratapan tried to enter the warehouse, leading to clashes and arrests between UDF and BJP workers. A few food kits were also seized by the police from the warehouse. Earlier, on Saturday, food kit distribution at a supermarket in Olari, Thrissur, was stopped by the Election Commission’s special squad itself. By the time officials arrived after the distribution was blocked, 75 kits had already been handed out. The remaining 26 kits were seized. In this case, the police have filed a report under sections including attempts to influence voters. Complaints have also arisen that the BJP distributed sarees in Alappuzha’s Chertala, Pallippuram, and Thuravoor areas to secure votes. During the last parliamentary elections, similar free distributions were reported in Thrissur for the BJP candidate. Perhaps it is in the light of that previous experience that political workers’ vigilance has now ensured that this malpractice is being caught. One has to assume that it is with knowledge of the BJP leadership, which tries to wriggle out of the situation, that this widespread electoral malpractice, common in many parts of North India but alien to Kerala has taken place.
Kerala is facing a decisive Legislative Assembly election. For the Left-Democratic Front and the United Democratic Front, this is a battle for continuity and survival rspectively. For the NDA led by the BJP, it is once again a life-and-death struggle to establish a foothold and expand its presence. All political parties and voters are viewing this election, which could pave the way for crucial political developments affecting Kerala’s future, with the seriousness it deserves. The election campaign actively discusses not only the development initiatives of those who have completed two terms and the opposition front’s aspirational promises to replace them, but also the political and social visions and stances of both fronts. While fascists are busy attempting to cultivate in Kerala the kind of divisive and hateful politics that have led to social polarisation and stagnation in various parts of the country, there is a strong ideological contest between the LDF and UDF over the tactics to be adopted in response. It is amidst this that a section's attempt to woo voters with free handouts was exposed.
In the final phase of elections, although isolated and secretive, there are arrangements to exploit the destitution of the poor by distributing money, alcohol, and other items to sway voters. But in the northern parts of the country, even publicly announced free giveaways and distribution events are often heard of. In certain areas, voters are driven to polling booths under the leadership of local elders, and such free gift distribution fairs are conducted as an integral part of the election itself. Various parties distribute items like money, sarees, televisions, and bicycles according to their capacity. But replicating such measures in Kerala, a state that generally maintains a high level of political awareness, is inappropriate, unacceptable and degrading to the state. Resorting to these covert methods to win elections exposes the moral bankruptcy of the audacious political parties and fronts involved. The BJP, which proclaims the slogan “What remains unchanged will change, Kerala will develop" is bringing change during the election period through the distribution of a pittance of 900-rupee food kits, one only needs to say how miserable their political stance and ideological approach are.
The BJP is the party that is loquacious in condemning a “culture that sweetens lies” (rabdi culture) by making free promises during elections. The BJP has not only opposed the frequent showers of freebies promised in campaigns, as done in Kerala by the two opposing fronts, that will implemented after winning, but it has also approached the courts against them. In 2022, Ashwinikumar Upadhyay, a leader of the BJP’s Delhi unit and a regular litigant with political activism, petitioned the Supreme Court, demanding a ban on offering freebies as part of election campaigns. The case highlighted the illegitimacy of attempting to implement such sky-high promises using public money. It is the same party that has now been caught clandestinely disbursing kits as part of trying to secure votes. One can only say that the serious process of elections and Kerala’s political awareness should not be made a mockery for the sake of a 900-rupee kit.