He’s probably the only politician in Kerala who has carved a niche for himself by setting up his own development models in his constituency. CPM’s think-tank and pragmatic leader clubbed -into-one, Thomas Isaac is known for his models of alternative development, be it waste-recycle mechanism or organic farming.
At a time when the CPM is at crossroads facing its most critical electoral battle ever in Kerala, Isaac remains as nonchalant as ever. When Team Express caught up with the CPM central committee member in the grounds of the Gandhi Smaraka Seva Kendra at Mararikkulam, he was getting ready for a friendly interaction with small groups of women and children.
Sharing the Left take on people-oriented development with Vinod Mathew, Pradeep Pillai, Anil S and Biju E Paul, the former finance minister reiterates that if the Left is voted to power, they would review the UDF government’s welfare measures like Karunya and bring in a new system where public health care would have a crucial role. Excerpts from the interview:
Q: A couple of initiatives that you have come up with - like the Organic Vishu - have attracted many people. We were wondering whether it would convert into votes?
A: These are not purely political activities. Earlier there was no distinction between political work and social activity.
Q: You were hounded with allegations when you launched a programme for self-reliance in your constituency. How did you move on?
A: Nobody was ready to believe that it was my hard-earned money and PF which I invested in projects. In my election campaign, I have just continued what I have always been doing. If it was someone else, there just wouldn’t be credibility. There’s tree-planting, students’ educational activities and the like. Naturally, rest of the neighbourhood will ask. That’s good enough. You are engaging with the people, right.
Q: Hasn’t Chandy taken it to another level with his Mass Contact Programme?
A: That’s a kind of patronizing in which I don’t believe. For example, just take the healthcare system in Kerala. We are proud of the system. But on the other side, we have got `600 crore going to Karunya and that too dependent on the government’s benevolence. If the Left comes to power, what we are going to do is to integrate all these welfare schemes into one. There will be an RSPY which is open to all.
Those availing the scheme will have to go to the government. Only if the facility is not available will they have to approach private establishments. Spend around `300 crore on RCC or you build another RCC.
That’s the rational way to think. Otherwise you end up financing all specialist hospitals in Kerala. We are not going to look at APL- BPL criteria, because that’s just an arbitrary line drawn. It’s going to be quite simple.
Q: Won’t there be a backlash when you do away with schemes like Karunya?
A: Not when you are guaranteeing the same thing as something due to you. We are re-designing.
We are using the money to build a public healthcare system. There will be a bit of re-engineering involved.Then there is adding up.
The public health care system needs to be upgraded and re-energized. The number of doctors and nurses should be doubled. They still follow the staff pattern of 1961, you know.
Q: The LDF has proposed the concept of a Kerala Bank in its poll manifesto. What will be the salient features of the Kerala bank? Also, how enthusiastic was the response?
A: It has been envisaged as a legitimate bank -to be operational under RBI guidelines- that can accept NRI remittances. It can bring together the state cooperative bank and all the 14 district cooperative banks under one umbrella. The Kerala Bank can also guarantee jobs, by which you can ensure that your investment turns out to be a guarantee for your next generation too.
Q: One major allegation about the previous LDF government was that development was stagnant during the time.
A: Those are allegations by the UDF. None of the major developmental projects that the UDF have been claiming credit for- like Smart City, Kochi Metro, Kannur airport or Vizhinjam - have yet been completed. Also, these are projects that were initiated by previous LDF governments.
Look at this government’s performance in utilizing plan-expenditure.
There was a fiscal stability process in the state for about ten years. That has been completely destroyed. Oommen Chandy may come up with many claims. But ultimately what is your revenue deficit? Ending one day at a surplus mark is not the way it should be.
Q: Politically, how will Left perform this time considering the BJP-BDJS factor?
A: There is an attempt to swing votes. The message which has gone down the line is if you can’t vote for BDJS, then vote for the Hand (Congress symbol).
They don’t want the Left to come to power for obvious reasons. Modi has come to campaign for Oommen Chandy. His remarks over Somalia have been making an impact. See Kerala and Somalia are polesopposite.
As he gets ready to resume his campaign trail, a young boy walks up. “Do you remember me…I am Pradyut -‘pashu’ (cow)?”… Isaac stands bemused for a moment, but is quick to recollect “Hey you! cows at his home have names and they respond to his call... You are out here to play?” “No, to study, I have Hindi class.” The ‘cow boy’ shoots back and walks away smiling.