Ahead of Palakkad bypoll battle, young leader’s revolt jolts BJP

“I have been insulted in the party. I am not a person who gets upset over the denial of a seat at a convention. There has been a chain of events,” lamented Sandeep Varier, a young member of the BJP Kerala state committee and the party’s prominent face in the visual media as he declared he won’t campaign for the BJP candidate in the upcoming Palakkad by-election.

Varier’s grievances are emblematic of a broader discontent brewing within the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ranks. In a revealing Facebook post, he articulated feelings of humiliation and neglect from the party leadership, stating that he felt consistently ignored, especially during critical moments.

Varier’s outburst jolts BJP

He expressed feelings of neglect and humiliation, particularly during significant moments in his life such as the passing away of his mother.

His decision to withdraw from campaigning for C Krishnakumar has been interpreted as a significant blow to the BJP’s prospects in a constituency where it finished as runner-up in previous elections.

Varier’s grievances are not merely personal; they reflect deeper issues within the party structure and its treatment of grassroots leaders.

Varier targets BJP candidate

Varier pointedly noted that Krishnakumar, the BJP candidate for Palakkad and the state general secretary, did not extend even condolences when his mother died -- a slight he found particularly hurtful given her long-standing support for the party.

“Even when I was the state office-bearer, you did not place even a wreath of the state committee on my mother’s body,” Varier complained in his Facebook post.

Varier’s declaration of discontent has not only raised eyebrows but has also prompted speculation about potential shifts in political alliances. Speculation is rife that the young leader would join hands with the Communist Party of India (Marxist) in Palakkad.

CPI(M) has fingers crossed

However, in response to Varier’s outburst, CPI(M) leaders have been cautious but opportunistic. Sources suggest that Varier has approached the Left, but the Marxist party is well aware of the complexities involved.

“It’s not like taking in Dr. Sarin from the Congress. Sandeep Varier was a face of the Hindutva ideology, and he needs to come clean on it,” a CPI(M) state committee member who holds a top post in the government told The Federal.

The leader also said that while they recognise the discontent within the BJP as an opportunity, they must tread carefully to avoid alienating their own base.

“We do not fish for leaders in other parties. However, if someone decides to leave their ideology and join us, they are welcome. What they said in the past as a political adversary doesn’t matter. Politics is about taking the right stance at the right time,” said CPI(M) leader and former minister AK Balan.

RSS tries to douse fire

CPI state Secretary Binoy Viswam also welcomed Varier’s decision to break ties with the BJP. “If someone abandons the Hindutva ideology and comes to cooperate with us, we view it positively — albeit with caution,” said Viswam.

Meanwhile, the Sangh Parivar is working to pacify the situation, with the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS) leadership getting involved. RSS leader Jayakumar has spoken with Varier, who has since kept a low profile.

“I have not yet left the party and am still a BJP man,” Varier said. “I have shared all my grievances with the RSS leadership, and I am letting the process take its course. However, my decision to stay away from the Palakkad campaign remains,” he told the media on November 5 before departing for a personal event in Ernakulam.

Problems confronting BJP

Varier’s criticisms against the party leadership point to broader issues within the BJP regarding leadership dynamics and candidate selection processes. He has suggested that local leaders feel sidelined by state leadership decisions and called for greater inclusivity within party structures.

“If this is my experience, what is it like for other grassroots-level members?” he questioned, indicating a systemic problem that could affect voter mobilization efforts.

CPI(M) leaders have asked Varier to escalate his dissent against the BJP before any formal discussions about joining their ranks can take place. They understand that embracing Varier without addressing his past affiliations could jeopardize their standing with minority voters -- an essential demographic in Kerala politics.

Congress happy over turmoil

“We need to capitalise on the discontent in the BJP campaign; that could give us a fighting chance,” said another CPI(M) leader.

On the other hand, the Congress is cautious, reiterating allegations of collusion between the BJP and the CPI(M). “If Varier defects, it would be advantageous for us as well. If he can draw some votes away from Krishnakumar to Sarin, it would ultimately benefit our candidate, Rahul Mankootathil. Even though we have no active role at the moment, it’s worth keeping an eye on the situation,” said a Congress campaign manager in Palakkad. However, in Palakkad MP VK Sreekandan (Congress) extended an invite to Varier.  

Varier’s significance in Palakkad

However, Varier’s withdrawal from campaigning could undermine these efforts significantly. His absence is particularly notable given his previous electoral success. He garnered 24.34 per cent of votes when he contested from Shornur, a neighbouring constituency of Palakkad, in 2021. The party had hoped to build on its momentum from past elections but now faces a potential setback due to internal divisions.

The BJP’s political troubles extend beyond Varier’s emotional outburst. These issues have been compounded by allegations of hawala transactions that are now resurfacing against the party’s state leadership.

BJP’s money matters

Former office secretary Satheesh has claimed misappropriation of funds through hawala channels -- a serious accusation that has cast a shadow over the party’s integrity as it prepares for critical elections.

Satheesh’s claims implicate senior party officials, including K Surendran, the BJP Kerala president, and reportedly stems from instigation by Shobha Surendran, the state vice-president.

Shobha has strongly denied any wrongdoing and distanced herself from the allegations while Surendran has downplayed the charge, asserting it will not impact the party’s performance in Palakkad.

BJP leaders allege conspiracy

Both Shobha and Surendran have alleged that the controversy is a conspiracy orchestrated by the CPI(M) and Congress, with a television channel – Reporter TV -- also involved.

Shobha blamed the channel’s managing editor cum owner Anto Augustine, who had ties with the NDA earlier.

Augustine made serious allegations against Shobha, claiming that she asked him for Rs 3 crore to bribe the national leadership in order to secure the position of party state president.

Stakes high for everyone

The combination of internal strife and external allegations presents a precarious situation for the BJP as it attempts to solidify its presence in Kerala, where it has struggled to gain traction against established parties like the Congress and CPI(M).

The BJP had previously shown promise in Palakkad, finishing as runner-up in both the 2016 and 2021 Assembly elections and even securing its first-ever win in Kerala during this year’s Lok Sabha elections.

The stakes are high; for the Congress and CPI(M), this by-election represents an opportunity to capitalize on the BJP’s internal turmoil. For the BJP, it is crucial to navigate these challenges effectively or risk losing ground in a region where it has been striving to establish itself as a credible alternative.