St. George award for Kerala BJP leader

In a development that could influence the BJP’s electoral prospects in poll-bound Kerala, former editor of RSS mouthpiece Organiser and BJP leader R. Balashankar has been selected for the St. George’s Award. Organised by the Indian Christian Movement (ICM), which has major influence in Kerala, the award will be presented by the Pope’s representative. The event will also witness saffron party and Left bigwigs, including Union home minister Rajnath Singh and CPI(M) politburo member M.A. Baby, sharing the dais. BJP general secretary and RSS man Ram Madhav is the chief guest for the occasion. Mr Singh will inaugurate the ICM’s 16th annual assembly.

“It is a great honour and satisfaction that this award is being given to the representative of a political party which is seen as pro-Hindu. Kerala has a very long tradition of all communities living together. This award is also a sign that the BJP has become a major factor in Kerala,” Dr Balashankar said. The BJP has no representative in the state Assembly or in Parliament from Kerala. Senior BJP leader O. Rajagopal had also received this award a few years ago.

In Kerala, where the BJP recently appointed a Hindutva face, Kummanam Rajasekharan, as its state unit chief, concerns were raised within the state unit that it would dissuade minorities, in particular Christians, to support the party. Dr Balashankar’s name was also considered for the state unit chief’s post.

While the BJP is working on consolidating the Hindu votes, traditionally considered as a Left alliance votebank, it is also hopeful that it will get the support of Christians also.

The recent bypoll and civic body elections in the state have seen a considerable increase in the saffron party’s vote share.

In Kerala, Christians are nearly 19 per cent and Muslims are nearly 27 per cent of the total population. The BJP already has an understanding and is likely to tie up with the SNDP, which represents the Ezhavas, considered as the largest organisation in the state representing the Hindu community.

It is also in touch with the electorally crucial Nair community.