The “farmer-friendly” CPI(M)'s proposed bypass plan in Kerala contradicts its 2016 election manifesto

• The CPI(M) has proposed the construction of a 5.7km bypass through a paddy field belt in Keezhattur.
• The proposal is expected to involve the reclamation of around 250 acres of land, a significant portion of which is paddy fields.
• Environmental conservation and the protection of paddy fields were key components of the the party’s election manifesto in 2016.

A fortnight after its farmers organising wing, the All-India Kisan Sabha, led a successful march in Maharashtra, the Communist Party of India (Marxist) finds itself on the other side of the line in Kerala- the state it governs as part of the Left Democratic Front (LDF).

The CPI(M) has proposed the construction of a 5.7km bypass through a paddy field belt in Keezhattur, a CPI(M)-stronghold in the district of Kannur. The bypass off NH 66, which has been in the works since 2003, is expected to result in the reclamation of around 250 acres of land, a significant portion of which is paddy fields. The bypass proposal has led to a spate of protests by farmers as it will affect paddy cultivation.

Contradicting its own manifesto

In most cases, the CPI(M)’s proposal would be a defensible political move, given that the goal here is infrastructure development. However, the party is said to be backtracking on a previous stance it took as part of the Opposition in 2015, wherein it opposed a plan by National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to build over the paddy fields due to environmental reasons.

Infact, environmental conservation and the protection of paddy fields were key components of the LDF’s election manifesto in 2016. The manifesto stated:- “Paddy fields all through the state will be declared protected paddy areas, while protecting the rights of their owners.”


Paddy cultivation is an important source of income in the region. Furthermore, the Keezhattur wetlands and paddy fields sustain the region’s water table, and hence the construction of the highway is expected to cut off the supply of water for the district’s farmers and residents.

The CPI(M)’s proposal contradicts the pledges of its manifesto. It also strikes at the core of its support base- farmers. As a result, a number of divisions between the party’s leaders and workers have been exposed in the ensuing fallout.

Another farmers march

The agitation began in September 2017, when the bypass plan was mooted. A number of CPI(M) cadres and supporters formed a group called Vayal Kilikal, which translates into “birds of the paddy field”. The group, which is led by Suresh Keezhattoor, a former party worker, staged a hunger strike before being placated by the government. The protests were restarted again this month after the NHAI started surveying the land for acquisition purposes.

On March 25th, clearly inspired by their counterparts in Maharashtra, the group commenced a peaceful march from the town of Taliparamba to Keezhattur in response to a CPI(M)-led march the previous day. They were joined by environmental activists and notably, BJP politicians. Hundreds of people were reported to have participated in the march.

'Keralam Keezhatturilekku' march reaches #Keezhattur fields https://t.co/CmJ3d7XLaw #mathrubhumi pic.twitter.com/bYmz6JUO0q

— Mathrubhumi (@mathrubhumieng) March 25, 2018

As things stand, the chief minister of Kerala, Pinarayi Vijayan, is set to meet Nitin Gadkari, the Union minister for transport and highways, later this week to discuss the issue. While an elevated highway has been proposed as an alternative to the bypass, it has been struck down by the Vayal Kilikal.

The unrest against the CPI(M) is growing. A longer march from Keezhattur to the state capital Thiruvananthapuram is slated for early April. Hopefully, a settlement will be reached.