SC verdict offers another chance for BJP in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Supreme Court decision, to refer the review pleas on women entry at Sabarimala to a larger constitutional bench, might give the BJP a badly-needed political headway in Kerala. For that, it needs to embark on a daunting task and win over a large section of Sabarimala devotees, who are reluctant to appreciate the political gambits of the saffron band.
The fact that the final verdict from the seven-member constitutional bench is very unlikely before 2021 polls will help the party to keep the Sabarimala issue alive. Unlike the September 28, 2018 verdict, the new scenario will help the party to become more vocal on the Sabarimala issue and even claim a moral victory for their stand. But, for that, the party would need to analyze the situation and form strategies that can appeal to the complex electorate in the state.
The Supreme Court’s decision on Thursday can even change the prospects of candidates who are running for the post of BJP state president. As of now, BJP state general secretary K Surendran has a better chance to fill the vacancy following the appointment of PS Sreedharan Pillai as Mizoram governor.
The image of having emerged as the poster boy of Sabarimala agitation has helped Surendran, other than his close connections with Union minister V Muraleedharan, to position himself as the next state president.
If Sabarimala issue remains a major political agenda for the upcoming local body and 2021 assembly elections, the party might also think about bringing Kummanam Rajasekharan back to the position of state party president. Another factor is that Rajasekharan has better acceptamce among other Sangh Parivar organizations and this could prompt the national leadership to give him the mantle.
Whether BJP can make political gains in Kerala after the apex court verdict is something one will have to wait and watch., but the obvious thing is the party’s central leadership has managed to save their skin. If the verdict went against the review pleas, BJP would have been pushed to the wall as it had promised to take the legislative route to undo the effects of any SC decision.