BJP move to expand base in Kerala will not yield result: Chandy

Kerala CM says Congress' main rival, Left, is still relevant as an alternative in bipolar polity in the state

The BJP's reported moves to expand its base in Kerala with support from a community outfit will not pay any dividend as people of the state are still reluctant to accept "divisive political ideology", says Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.

He maintains that the Congress' main rival in the state, Left is still relevant as an alternative in the bipolar polity.

"Kerala society is totally different.The people of the state took a different line...A line of peace and harmony... even during tougher times... When country faced communal riots and divisive politics," Chandy told PTI in an interview.

The Chief Minister's comments assume significance in the wake of the recent meeting between BJP President Amit Shah and Vellappally Natesan in Delhi, the general secretary of SNDP Yogam which espouses the cause of the dominant backward community Eazhava and forms the main support base of CPI(M).

SNDP was founded by social reformer Narayan Guru.

Chandy said any effort to gain political mileage by communalising society would not yield permanent result as the foundation of communal harmony in Kerala was laid by Sree Narayan Guru through his teachings.

Hailing the contributions of Narayana Guru in Kerala society, Chandy said it was his teachings that helped the people to think beyond caste, creed and religion.

"All sections of the Kerala society are influenced by his teachings. So I don't think....Any attempt to make political gain through communal politics would help yield a permanent result.

"A temporary gain....I don't know. But permanently it will not succeed on the soil of Kerala," the Chief Minister said.