Posting that the people of Kerala’s assurance lies in CPM and LDF, Kannur party secretary P Jayarajan said that the party is the ‘Captain’ and not an individual. In his Facebook, he reminded everyone that communists are not fascinated by idol worship and reminded everyone of Kodiyeri Balakrishnan’s statement that everyone is a comrade and that the party is the captain.
Interestingly, P Jayarajan had faced action from the party’s state leadership, supported by Pinarayi Vijayan, after party workers had released a song in Jayarajan’s name. The latter’s latest Facebook post seems to be targeting the Chief Minister. “When people are close, they show affection in many ways. Some people like to write songs, some people like to have photos; some people like to get tattoos. However, communists are not fond of personal worship. As comrade Kodiyeri Balakrishnan told media persons, ‘everyone is comrades’ in this party. The party is the captain.”
His poke at the popularity that Pinarayi Vijayan has been garnering, especially the ‘captain’ title, comes just three days away from the state assembly election. He adds in his post, “Many are upset at the growing popularity of communists among the people. The Left upholds populist politics and welfare politics. Therefore, right-wing groups and media should not be disturbed by the popular support for the Chief Minister. The party and the LDF, not the individuals, are the people’s assurance.”
Meanwhile, CPM Acting Secretary A Vijayaraghavan expressed his support for calling Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan a captain. He claimed that Pinarayi is an experienced leader and that the people like him. People who admire him as a chief minister give him such titles and it is recognition of his achievements, Vijayaraghavan added. On the other hand, while election rallies in Kerala, CPM Polit Bureau member Brinda Karat had said that people call him captain. “Pinarayi Vijayan might be a captain to the people, but to us, he is a comrade. The CPM doesn’t believe in things such as captain, commander, high command,” she said.
On the other hand, reacting over the ‘captain’ row, former state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said that Pinarayi Vijayan is not playing any role as captain in CPM. He made this remark while attending the meet-the-press programme at Kannur Press Club. “CPM considers Pinarayi Vijayan as a comrade and not as a captain. Some might call him captain, but neither the party nor any of the party publications address him so,” he said.
