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Pinarayi Vijayan at the event
Kannur: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan struggled to complete his eulogy at the meeting held at Payyambalam soon after the funeral of Kodiyeri Balakrishnan.
After speaking briefly for about 10 minutes, he paused abruptly for a few seconds. He then said “I conclude.” Tears were also filled in eyes of many among the crowd who gathered at the meeting. It was a rare incident as Keralalites have not seen him as this vulnerable and fragile. He had described Kodiyeri as "own brother" in the note published earlier.
Pinarayi thanked those who stood with the party during the tough time. He said though Kodiyeri is irreplaceable, the party will try to overcome the void through collective effort.
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The state was eagerly waiting to hear Pinarayi’s words as he hasn't opened up in public about his decades-long relationship with the deceased leader. Kodiyeri joined KSF, early form of SFI, when Pinarayi was the state leader of the organisation. Kodiyeri climbed the ladder of the party gradually along with Pinarayi and gave the best support possible during the first Pinarayi government. Kodiyeri was also a driving force behind the return of LDF to power in 2021.
Pinarayi spent most of his time with the mortal remains since it landed at Kannur airport on Sunday. He followed the last journey of of colleague to the town hall, his house and CPM district committee office in the last two days. Pinarayi also walked with the funeral procession from the office to the Payyambalam beach. He then carried the body to the pyre on shoulder.
CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury, politburo member Prakash Karat, Congress MLA Sunny Joseph, CPI leader Binoy Viswam also spoke at the event.
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