Kerala CPI(M) is rooting for investment but entrepreneurs are tired of trade unionism
The resolution introduced by Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in the just-concluded CPI(M) State conference, which was adopted unanimously, marks a volte-face in the party’s stance vis-a-vis economic and social development. The CPI(M), which staged pan-India strikes in the 1980s alleging computerisation would lead to job losses, was India’s first political outfit to adopt computers as a part of life. The resolution calls for “maximum private investment” in all spheres of economic activity. The comrades, known for their resistance to allow private universities to set up shop, have called for private-public partnership in opening up the higher education sector in Kerala. The CPI(M) having seen the writing on the wall is getting ready to venture into uncharted waters, a hitherto unfamiliar terrain for the party. Vijayan’s formula for Kerala’s economic development also includes improving the ease of doing business and converting all public sector centres into profit centres. He also called for modernisation of traditional industries like coir, cashew nuts and rubber. The recommendations are music to the ears. The only jarring note was that while Vijayan is extolling the virtues of his proposals, entrepreneurs are shutting down shop and leaving the State.
Even as the party’s grand State conference was held in Ernakulam, two young entrepreneurs were forced to shut down their businesses by militant trade unions. Both lost crores of rupees of investments as the trade unions declared that the managements do not have the right to appoint persons of their choice in the enterprises. Though the party bosses scoff at such reports, claiming these are isolated incidents, the exodus of entrepreneurs from the State has been happening on a regular basis. Sabu Jacob, who owns Kitex Ltd in Ernakulam, had to run for his life and shift his venture to Telangana to escape trade union activists. The National Crime Records Bureau statistics for 2020 show that Kerala is the crime capital of India. Though Vijayan’s proposals are a refreshing change from the sterile economic ideology of the CPI(M), the question being asked is whether they would be able to get the trust of investors and rein in trade union bosses. Last heard, the CPI(M) is leading a two-day countrywide general strike on March 28 and 29 against the Centre’s move to attract investment and dilute its stake in crucial insurance and financial sector companies.