Last of the Old-School Marxists

END of 1990s. The E K Nayanar-led Left government was in power in Kerala. It was around the time Pinarayi Vijayan was set for his first tenure as CPM state secretary.

- Anil S @T'Puram

A section of leaders were eyeing a new political combine — to get the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) into the LDF fold, with an eye on cementing a long-term rule for the Left front in the state. Informal talks were held at varying levels between senior leaders. Several possibilities were discussed. But one question kept bothering them — who would tell VS, the LDF convener and the most powerful leader who called the shots in the front? IUML leader Kutty Ahammed Kutty, who shared a warm rapport with VS, was handed the task. Kutty conveyed the idea to VS, who heard him through. And, without batting an eyelid, VS said something that is now part of the state's political lore: "Kutty, it is not yet time for the Congress to die in Kerala!"