Interview/ Annie Raja, CPI national executive member and candidate from Wayanad
Q/ You have completed the initial phase of your campaign. What have you promised the people of Wayanad? Also, what do the people have to say about Rahul Gandhi?
A/ I can merge these two questions into one. I didn't have any specific agenda other than that of the Left Democratic Front and the people. So, whatever the issue may be, that's been my focus. Since the beginning of this month, I have been travelling extensively—completing almost two rounds. Everywhere in this constituency, people are asking one question—some very politely, but others quite sternly—'Will you be here after the election? When will you come and see us?'. I asked them why they were asking this question, and they replied, 'You see, elephants have visited Wayanad more times than our MP!' This sentiment underscores the deep-rooted concerns of the people. They want to interact with their MP; they want to at least see him here. They also have complaints about their matters not being presented in Parliament.
Through interactions with various sections of society, I have identified four or five major issues. The human-animal conflict poses a serious threat to lives and livelihoods, especially for farmers. This conflict is a pressing issue for the people of Wayanad. A permanent solution is needed. The Left government [in the state] recently declared it a state-specific disaster, [but there are limitations for the state government to act]. A permanent solution lies in having an amendment to the existing laws—The Wild Life (Protection) Act, of 1972. That can happen only in Parliament. I have not contested any election, not even for a panchayat ward election. However, I was part of the process of drafting bills by civil society and advocating for them, such as NREGA, RTI, domestic violence prevention, and sexual harassment. Therefore, I possess relevant experience.
Raising questions in Parliament is one aspect, but the subsequent task involves convincing ministries, ministers, bureaucrats, and all stakeholders—it's no easy feat. Bureaucracy seldom readily accepts change. Given my experience, I am confident that when people are protesting outside, I can advocate for them inside Parliament. I am committed to seeking a lasting solution.
Another issue is the night travel ban [in Kozhikode-Kollegal National Highway-766 which passes through Bandipur Tiger Reserve which is affecting the tourism and agriculture sector in Wayanad]. To address it, you need an amendment [of existing laws]. When it comes to Railways, you have them in the northeast and Uttarakhand, [but not in Wayanad]. Here, it's just a matter of [a few hundred] kilometres. That's all. So, when Modi talks about achieving a 5 trillion-dollar economy and becoming the third-largest economy, why not prioritise development here, too? These are fundamental developmental issues as well as matters of life and livelihood. Therefore, it's imperative that someone addresses them.
Q/Shashi Tharoor said voting for Left parties is a waste. You reacted strongly, but was he not simply highlighting that the influence of the Left may now be limited?
A/Can I ask you a small question? What is the influence of the Congress? Who can trust the Congress? People are voting against the BJP, helping the Congress, but within six months they are all joining the BJP.
Could you prevent these fascist forces from gaining a brute majority? What influence do you have? In Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh?
If you can solve one issue of the people, that is influence.
One cannot simply ignore Shashi Tharoor’s statement. How dare he? If he believes in democracy, how can he say something like that? People say he is a vishwa pauran (global citizen). What sort of vishwa pauran ridicules the Left? Even if we have only one MP, we can have more influence than all these Congress fellows. How many of them take up issues? Did Rahul speak about Wayanad? What does influence mean? Amassing wealth and facing the ED?
Q/But, you are now in an alliance with the Congress.
A/When we are in an alliance, respect that alliance. We may be a small party, the Left may be small, but we have credibility. In the last assembly elections, there was only one place where [the Congress] had an alliance with the Left―Telangana. That is the only state the Congress won. That was the influence of Left. The Congress cannot match the Left’s credibility. It gains from our credibility.
Q/ Last time, Rahul Gandhi won big in Wayanad. But, this time, the CPI has fielded a national leader like you. However, in other states, CPI candidates are using Rahul's name and pictures in their campaign.
A/ It's not just Rahul's photo; all the alliance partners' leaders' photos are included. So, it's not accurate. Congress is putting our leaders’ photos, too.
Q/ Can you cite an example?
A/ It will happen; you will see it in Bihar and other states too, like Tamil Nadu. We have witnessed it before in Tamil Nadu. An alliance means we all help each other win seats.
Q/ As far as electoral politics is concerned, what separates CPI from CPI(M)? What makes your party different?
A/ We are all independent parties; so, wherever we are, we maintain our own positions in different states. While we have our own national positions, we also have different positions in different states.
Q/ Don't you think your party has always enjoyed a better relationship with the Congress than CPI(M)?
A/ No, it's not about enjoying or not. The current times demand the coming together of Left democratic and secular forces to defeat the Sangh Parivar and RSS fascist forces. That's why the resolution was passed in our party congress. Similarly, even the CPI(M), in their party congress, has realised this. So, there's nothing specific to states taking different positions.
Q/ Narendra Modi is talking about winning 400 seats and the BJP is engaging in a psywar on the opposition. Many people from Congress and other parties are joining the BJP, which is a clear effect of this psywar. How confident is your party in defeating or at least limiting the BJP to a minimum number of seats?
Observing the BJP's behaviour, we are more confident because, despite the Ram Temple and other factors, even the prime minister himself doubts whether they will secure 400 or even 350 seats. That's why whoever is coming, they are buying them with electoral bonds. They have a lot of money; they are promising crores and crores [to whoever joins the party]. What are electoral bonds? It is legalising corruption; the Congress [politicians] have now merely become a product the BJP can buy for a high price.
Q/ CPI and CPI(M) did not accept electoral bonds, whereas the Congress did. As part of an alliance, did it dilute your criticism of electoral bonds?
A/ Our stance remains consistent regardless of the actions of others. We cannot dictate to them whether or not to accept. They should be held accountable for their decisions. All those people who received these funds, will have to answer, what favour they have offered or provided.
Q/In Kerala, where the contest is between the Congress-led UDF and the Left, three Congress Working Committee members are contesting―Tharoor, Rahul Gandhi and K.C. Venugopal.
A/Either the Congress is not fully grasping the challenges the country is facing―the extent to which fascist forces are threatening to establish or convert India into a brahmanical Hindu rashtra―or they simply prioritise winning seats over critical issues. If they truly wield such influence, why are these leaders focusing on Kerala? Why is Rahul Gandhi here? He can be in Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka. The Congress leadership, particularly K.C. Venugopal, who is always around Rahul, has reduced his role. The AICC has reduced Rahul Gandhi to a Kerala congressman.