By Shafeeq Hudawi, Twocircles.net
Kozhikode: With battle lines drawn for the upcoming assembly polls, campaigns of both the United Democratic Front and the Left Democratic Front have reached maximum speed, and none of the two alliances are leaving any stone unturned to get Adivasi votes.
The reason for focussing on the tribal votes is understandable: these votes may turn out to be a key factor in deciding the result in at least a couple of seats in the Wayanad district. According to the 2011 census, Adivasis constitute 18.5 per cent of the total population in Wayanad. Of all the tribal communities of the district, the electoral behaviour of Paniyas, the largest tribe comprising 45.6% of the Adivasi population, Kurichiyas (16.6%), Kurumas (13.8%) and Kattunayakas (11.2%) are set to play a major role in the two ST reserved constituencies of Mananthavady and Sulthan Bathery and to lesser extent in Kalpetta Assembly segment. Mananthavady, which has the highest tribal population in the district, has mostly picked elected Congress candidates in the Assembly polls in the past. This time, the constituency is likely to see a close fight, with both Congress and CPM fielding candidates from Kurichiya community. Congress, which is hoping to retain the seat, has again fielded Tribal Affairs Minister P K Jayalakshmi, with CP I (M) leader O R Kelu slated to give her a tough fight. The electoral battle in Mananthavady is between the tall claims of development being made by Jayalakshmi, especially in the tribal sector, and the Ministry’s non-performance as alleged by her opponents.
Meanwhile, the picture in Sulthan Bathery is slightly different, with a triangular fight between three different Adivasi communities on cards. Congress has given poll ticket to Kurichiya leader and incumbent I C Balakrishnan. The CPI (M), hoping to gain by creating division in the tribal vote bank, has fielded Rugmini Subramanian of Kuruma tribe, which holds some sway in the constituency. Making it a tight fight is the candidature of C K Janu, a prominent Adivasi leader who belongs to the Adiya community, under the NDA banner.
Landlessness remains a key issue in Polls
This time too, land remains the biggest poll issue in Wayanad, at least for Adivasis, with large sections of the community remaining marginalised and landless. Adivasi Gothra Maha Sabha leader and tribal activist Professor Geethanandan told Twocircles.net the issues of landless people will be one of the main issues, raised in election. “The promises, assured by the UDF Government in 2013 through CK Janu-Antony Pact, still remain on papers. Hundreds of Adivasis are left without land to cultivate. As per the pact, each tribal family has to be provided with five acres of land,” he said.
In 2003, the Adivasis had gathered under the Adivasi Gothra Maha Sabha protesting the delay in allotting them land, which had been contracted in October 2001 in Muthanga of Wayanad district. These tribals had launched a land redistribution agitation in Muthanga. They put up over 700 huts and established a check post to regulate entry. As part of the agitation Adivasis took captive 21 persons, mostly state policemen and forest department officials. The pact was signed following these agitations.
The ill equipped health institutions, which fail to meet requirements of Adivasi people also find a place in the demand list of tribes people. Within the last two years, there have been several infant deaths and incidents have been reported in Wayanad.
Tribal Party Not in Fray
With its leader C K Janu sided with NDA and announced as candidate at Sulthan Bathery, the Adivasi Ooru Vikasana Munnani, the lone Adivasi party, has decided to keep off the electoral battle. Formed last year, the party leaders had said that it would contest in three seats of Wayanad with tribal population. AGMS leader Geethanandan said that the Adivasi votes will be divided among the three fronts due to the absence of their party.