By Shafeeq Hudawi, TwoCircles.net
Kozhikode: Kerala Adivasi leader CK Janu’s decision to side with the NDA and contest from the Wayanad seat has drawn criticism from people who have worked with her.
The tribal leader’s saffron tilt has evoked harsh criticism from her colleagues. M Geethananthan, leader of Adivasi Gotra Maha Sabha, said that it was shocking to hear such news. “A left-leaning leader has been now driven to the Sangh camp. Her greed for power has driven her to the saffron fold,” he said.
The AGMS state coordinator, who is the ideologue of tribal outfits, was with C K Janu in organising the South Indian Tribal Conclave in 1992 and Muthanga Agitation of 2003, which are said to be two milestones in the tribal history of Kerala.
Geethanandan said that she will be ousted from AGMS and its newly formed political outfit Janadhipathya Ooru Vikasana Munnani.
On April 8, Janu launched her party, Janadhipathya Rashtreeya Sabha at Alappuzha.
Geethanandan went on to say that the decision will harm Janu as a person and the Adivasis in the state along with their political movements.
“Even if she contests as an independent, we will not agree to it and we will definitely oppose her,” he said.
Janu alleges exploitation at hands of UDF, LDF
Meanwhile, tribal leader C K Janu justified her new move saying it was need of the hour to take such a turn. “Both LDF and UDF extended us raw deal and turned a blind eye towards our woes. The government has not done justice to the pacts, signed between them and tribal leaders. The agitations like standing struggle were given no consideration,” she said.
She lashed at LDF and UDF saying, “The two fronts treated us as rally and poster employees, who are meant to work for their campaigns.” Parties like CPI (M) could have considered us as an alliance. But, they never did. Now, NDA has respected our identity by inviting us to its front. We expect a better deal from the new alliance,” she said.