JACOB PEENIKAPARAMBIL -  Deviating from the political tradition of Kerala, some celebrities from the film and sports world, and a few professionals are entering politics prior to the state assembly elections in April-May. They claim that they are going to make a significant contribution to rewrite the development story of Kerala. Entry of people with integrity, talent and energy, especially young people, into politics is to be appreciated and welcomed. At the same time, if the celebrity entrants into Kerala politics take people of Kerala for granted, they will be committing a great mistake.

Kerala stands out among all the states of India in different ways. Irrespective of the coalitions that ruled Kerala, the state has followed a development model focusing on education, health care, high life expectancy, low birth rate and devolution of powers to the local self governments. Kerala was adjudged the best governed state in India the fifth time on 30 October 2020 by the Bangalore-based not-for-profit organization, Public Affairs Centre (PAC), headed by former Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) chairman K Kasturirangan. Uttar Pradesh remained at the bottom of the large states category.  If Kerala is shining in many respects the credit goes mainly to the people of Kerala.

The PAC report does not say the reasons for Kerala topping in governance, but gives a hint when it mentions that “governance and overall development can be ushered in only if there is social revolution first”. Various reasons could be cited for the excellent performance of Kerala in terms of governance and critical thinking among the people. The most important among them are the social reformations that have taken place in Kerala. It is not easy to kick off a counter-revolution by feeding to the sentiments of caste, religion and ethnicity is not easy, as it is done in other parts of the country.

The second reason for good governance is high political awareness among the people. Kerala is the most literate state in India with 93.97% literacy rate in 2011. The higher level of literacy and education has contributed to increased political awareness among the people of Kerala. The political parties irrespective of their ideology are aware of the political acumen of the people and respond to the needs of the people. People cannot be easily carried away by emotive issues.

The third reason could be relative communal harmony in Kerala in comparison with many other states of India. The people of Kerala know very well that their future is not in the division based on religion and fighting with each other, but in safeguarding and promoting understanding and harmony among the followers of different faiths.

Fourthly, people of Kerala expect and even demand from the political parties and leaders positive and creative programmes to solve their problems. The recently held local body elections have proved that people are not enchanted by a negative campaign focusing mainly on perceived or alleged corruption by the ruling party. A negative approach based on division, exclusion and discrimination, and playing on the religious sentiments of the people will not be acceptable to the people of Kerala.