THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: It was June 2015 and campaigning for the Aruvikkara by-election was on. Fresh out of the budget bedlam in the Assembly, a resolute Left front was leaving no stones unturned to win the seat. Kick starting the poll campaign at Aryanad in Thiruvananthapuram district, the LDF placed a clan of political titans on the dais.
Senior politicians like the CPM state chief Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, the CPI state chief Kanam Rajendran, R Balakrishna Pillai, Vaikom Viswan, MV Jayarajan, MV Govindan. A bunch of other leaders like Ramachandran Kadannapplly, Mathew T Thomas, Babu Divakaran and KR Aravindakshan were also on the stage. But for the thousand-odd spectators gathered, it was a short man who left an indelible impression on their minds.
An unassuming leader, Uzhavoor Vijayan chose not to attack his political opponents with a barrage of allegations but had them laughing almost hysterically. With biting satire and witty remarks, he connected well with the masses. It was O Rajagopal who was at the receiving end of his Aruvikkara speech. He solemnly called for action against the saffron party for torture of a senior citizen (O Rajagopal), by repeatedly fielding him as a candidate in the elections.
A crowd puller in the real sense, Vijayan was considered the Left front’s warhorse for both defense and offense. His satirical take on issues worked to the Left’s favour, especially in times of crisis. He could well be termed as the only leader who enjoyed the unstinted affection of leaders from both fronts.
A true campaigner of the secular movement, Uzhavoor stood with the Left front like a rock, says senior CPI leader Pannian Raveendran. During the last Parliamentary polls when there were rumours that the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) may opt out of the LDF, following the Revolutionary Socialist Party's path, it was Vijayan who adopted a strong stance. “I met Uzhavoor and he took a strong stance. It was his final word that swung the decision in our favour,” Pannian recalls.
Though NCP was a small party within the front, Uzhavoor earned the respect and affection of his colleagues within the front. In fact, NCP made a mark in recent Kerala politics only because of Vijayan.
“While major political debates raged in the presence of political stalwarts like VS Achuthanandan known for his blunt talk, it was Vijayan who used to come up with rare gems of humour. With just a remark here, a slight gesture there, a hilarious observation, he used to lighten the atmosphere, prompting a smile,” adds Pannian who shared a warm relation with Uzhavoor for about 25 years.
Crisis always had him in his element. After the Pinarayi government took over, his ability to handle crises was twice put to the test. When AK Saseendran had to quit over the sleaze scandal, he adeptly stepped into damage control without hurting either his party colleague or denting the Left’s image.
When an unexpected attack later spoke of a rift within the NCP, Vijayan remained calm. “I know Pinarayi Vijayan for a long time. I share a much better equation with Pinarayi. I’m sure he takes a call on NCP’s ministership as per my word. But why should I proclaim it? If they feel happy with such statements, let them! I’m happy they feel content,” Vijayan told the New Indian Express back then.
He was one of the very few leaders who carved a niche in Kerala politics through his oratory skills, which earned him a place among the state's political titans, EK Nayanar, Lonappan Nambadan and TK Hamsa.
It should also be said that Uzhavoor Vijayan never missed an opportunity to take a dig at his political opponents. However, none of his sarcastic comments were aimed at hurting his opponents. Instead, these were salvos for the masses to enjoy a laugh. He was never stingy with his criticism and for that reason, he never had any political foes. Even those who were at the receiving edge of his scrutiny enjoyed the same.
The masses loved him because he had the ability couch serious political debates in simple satire and knew how to doled them out humorously. His listeners would wait patiently for him to speak at every gathering. Although the spectators usually leave once the biggies finish, if Vijayan is in line to speak, they would wait patiently.
Just a hilarious mention of a movie that touched upon all aspects of social life could have the audience in splits.
He wasn’t keen on Parliamentary politics. A leader who was in tandem with the masses – one who scheduled evening meetings almost as a routine.