Left student organizations took to the streets in Kerala, opened front against the UDF government!

After almost a decade, the activism of CPI(M) youth and student organizations was once again visible on the streets of Kerala. Left youth organization Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and student organization Students Federation of India (SFI) on Wednesday staged statewide protests against the Congress-led UDF government, leading to clashes with police at several places.

The CPI(M)’s traditional agitation system was quiet for a long time due to the Left Democratic Front (LDF) being in power under the leadership of Pinarayi Vijayan since 2016, but the victory of the UDF in the assembly elections held in May and the election of V.D. After Satheesan became the Chief Minister, leftist organizations have started taking to the streets again.

On Wednesday, DYFI workers held protests across the state accusing the UDF government of corruption in its decision to grant tax concessions to liquor companies. At many places, the police used water cannons and resorted to lathicharge to stop the protesters.

This demonstration was organized by CPI(M) State Secretary M.V. The events were held following a statement issued by the Govindan-led party state secretariat. This is believed to be the first coordinated statewide agitation of DYFI after the defeat in May.

On the other hand, SFI workers marched to the State Secretariat to protest against the fee hike in co-operative educational institutions. During this period, a situation of tension arose at many places. It is alleged that DYFI and SFI workers damaged hoardings and flex boards carrying photographs of Chief Minister Satheesan and leaders of Congress-backed organisations.

Political observers believe that Wednesday’s protest signals the beginning of CPI(M)’s aggressive campaign as the opposition. Ever since the UDF government assumed power on May 18, the Left parties have been continuously keeping an eye on the government’s decisions and budget.

With the return of DYFI to the streets, memories of some of its old radical movements have also been refreshed. The most famous of these was the incident when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) raided the rented house of the opposition leader while investigating a case related to Pinarayi Vijayan’s daughter. At that time, the officers returning from there were attacked by leftist activists, after which several arrests were made.

Although Wednesday’s protests did not reach that level, politically they sent a clear message that after being in power for ten years, the CPI(M) has now returned to the role of the opposition and with it street politics has also become active again.