Real Kerala poll story: When CPM workers helped Congress leader campaign in Idukki

Kattappana, Idukki: In a rare instance of political camaraderie, CPM workers in Udumbanchola constituency once arranged a stage and campaign materials for their rival candidate, former MLA and AICC member EM Augusthy has recalled. The incident dates back to the 1991 Assembly elections and remains one of his most memorable campaign experiences.

At the time, the sitting MLA M Jinadevan, was the Left candidate, and many plantation areas were strongholds of the Marxist party. Campaigning in such regions was difficult for candidates from other parties. Koompanpara in Rajakumari panchayat was one such area, where Augusthy’s campaign materials and stage were destroyed, and he was warned against entering the area due to the risk of attack.

Undeterred, Augusthy went to the locality and met the CPM local secretary, Andavan, at the party office. He pointed out that the destruction of campaign materials was not right. Accepting this, Andavan arranged a stage and brought materials from the party office for Augusthy to address the gathering. Local Left workers not only attended the speech but also ensured his safe return. Augusthy said he maintained cordial relations with Andavan and local CPM workers during his tenure as MLA, and later felt deeply saddened to hear about Andavan’s death following an assault related to a family dispute.

Augusthy also recalled that during the campaign, he learned about the assassination of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. With limited access to real-time information at the time, confirmation was difficult as there were no immediate news updates on the radio. A phone call from the party office at Puliyanmala to newspaper offices in Kottayam confirmed the news, leaving the region in shock and silence, with vehicles off the roads.

With officials on election duty stranded in various places, Augusthy led a convoy of jeeps to safely transport them to Painavu. Even three decades later, the incident remains vivid in his memory.