Kummanam- Rewriting Priorities of Mainstream Politics

Iritty: The inhabitants of Thiruvonappuram Ambalapuzha tribal colony of Peravoor had a surprise visitor recently- the newly elected president of Bharatiya Janata Party, Kummanam Rajasekharan, who apart from spending time with them also shared a simple yet sumptuous lunch with the people there. The tribal colony shot into news recently for being one of the most poverty stricken places, where children had to relieve their pangs of hunger by digging into waste cans at the panchayat waste management centre, for remnants of food.

It was for the first time that residents of the tribal colony experienced the joy of having a crusader in their midst. It was evident in the jubilant cheer that resounded in the air, as they greeted, cheered and welcomed Kummanam with joyous slogans, headed by their Ooru Moopan. This was followed by the simple sumptuous meal along with members of the colony.

Kummanam visited homes personally and listened patiently to grievances. One of the colony inmates Chandran explained how most of the residents remained jobless, which has led to impoverished days for the inhabitants. “There are no facilities for children to go to school, which later makes them easy targets of being caught in the web of anti-social activities. With no scope for livelihood, people are leaving the colony, in hope of better life else where. However, this too has led to disillusionment,” said Chandran.

Kummanam was given an indepth picture of how people of the tribal colony were the butt of ridicule, being used as mere pawns by the two political fronts of Kerala. “They waxed eloquence about building houses for all. What finally came in hand were nothing but namesake cubicles, like matchboxes, without doors,” said another resident.

President @BJP4Keralam,@Kummanam visits Adivasi village where kids surviving with garbage food!
65yrs f Kerala Model pic.twitter.com/LqKg5mfAC3

— Binu Padmam (@BinuPadmam) January 23, 2016

The reports of tribal children consuming waste at panchayat waste management centre led to state minister PK Jayalakshmi ordering the District Scheduled Caste Development Department to conduct an enquiry into the matter. But what followed was sheer negligence there after, which made the residents show their ire through various protests. “Sudheeran and Pinarayi too had their rallies via this route. But none of them ever bothered to even look by this place. This is the first time a political leader has come here, seeking to know what our needs and requirements are,” said another resident.

Kummanam’s presence in the midst of these tribal folk has carved in a new niche, where his presence stands fortified. His promises of uplifting these people and conveying the matter to the Centre were not mere utterances, but words that had gravity, ensuring that they head the right way. It is testimony of the relevance of the slogans raised by Bharatiya Janata Party’s Vimochana Yatra.

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