Latest news with #BJP-aligned
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Central Travancore sees another political push with an eye on Catholic, farmer votes
With an eye on the influential Catholic vote bank of Central Travancore, a region in the midst of significant political churn, yet another political initiative with apparent leanings towards the Bharatiya Janata Party appears to be taking shape in Kottayam. Two years after a failed attempt to launch a political party, a group of former Kerala Congress leaders have joined hands to revive their plans, ostensibly with the backing of the BJP. The new movement, which has also garnered the support of a section of Catholic bishops, aims at resonating with the farming community of Central Travancore, which constitutes the core support base of the two major Kerala Congress (KC) factions. As part of it, a farmers' conference was held in Kottayam on Friday under the banner of the Kerala Farmers' Federation. The federation is chaired by George J. Mathew, a former Kerala Congress chairman and former legislator from Kanjirappally. The event was organised with the support of P.M. Mathew, former legislator from Kaduthuruthy, and M.V. Mani. The trio is expected to address the media on Saturday to formally outline the objectives of their emerging movement. A resolution passed at the conference has also authorised the leadership to 'fight for change, address the needs of the people and take timely decisions and actions.' Mum on a new party Amidst the speculation, the leaders have remained guarded about the possibility of launching a new political party. Instead, they maintained that the Kerala Farmers' Federation was established in 2016 with George J. Mathew as chairman with a commitment to protecting farmers' rights and interests. Mr. Mathew, on his part, declined to confirm any political ambitions but said more details would be revealed on Saturday. Notably, Major Archbishop Emeritus Mar George Cardinal Alencherry and Mar Mathew Arackal, former Bishop of Kanjirappally, were invited to the conference but did not attend. BDJS and CASA The presence of BDJS national president Thushar Vellappally at the event has further stoked speculation. Observers suggest the initiative may be aimed at mobilising BJP-aligned Christian support in a bid to eventually integrate into the NDA fold. The organisers are also said to be seeking support from Christian organisations such as Christian Association and Alliance For Social Action (CASA). A similar attempt had been made in April 2023, when the National Progressive Party (NPP) was formally launched with V.V. Augustine as its chairman, Johnny Nellore as working chairman, and Mathew Stephen as general secretary. However, the party's momentum waned quickly and Mr. Nellore stepped away from the project within a few months.
The Hindu
21-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
BJP-backed Syndicate members accuse govt. of encroaching into university autonomy
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-backed Syndicate members of Kerala and Calicut Universities have criticised the alleged efforts made by the State government to intervene in the administration of APJ Abdul Kalam Technological University, calling it an unconstitutional overreach and politically motivated. In a joint statement, Syndicate members A.K. Anuraj (Calicut University), Vinod Kumar T.G. Nair and P.S. Gopakumar (Kerala University) alleged that the Higher Education department initiated an investigation into the KTU without informing the Vice-Chancellor. They termed this a blatant violation of protocol and a calculated attempt to destabilise the higher education system in Kerala. The move, they added, was part of a broader strategy by the ruling Left Democratic Front government to gain control over the university administration. Against Bills They also raised concerns over the University Laws (Amendment) Bills, which were recently passed by the State Assembly, alleging attempts to turn universities into political battlegrounds. The Bills, if enacted, would undermine the autonomy of universities, they cautioned. The BJP-aligned Syndicate and Senate members of the universities will organise a protest in front of the Secretariat on Friday against the proposed legislations.
