MALAMPUZHA: The open courtyard is more or less silent though there are occasional smiles and greetings. British filmmaker Ian McDonald, who’s on a mission to document Kerala’s historic Left movement, is busy scheduling the next scene he wants to shoot based on the life of the CPI(M)’s one and only V S Achuthanandan, who is campaigning for yet another election. At 92, VS is still said to be in the reckoning for the Chief Minister’s post if the LDF wins enough seats to govern Kerala when the results are announced on May 19.
VS, who had taken time off to take a quick afternoon nap, after a punishing schedule, is up and ready when Express’ Rajesh Abraham, A Satish and Anil S visit him on the penultimate day of the campaign at his rented house at Malampuzha. Excerpts from the interview.
What are the Left’s prospects; any prediction on the final tally?
The Left front will have a historical victory. No prediction.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy also makes similar claims, especially in the backdrop of the tie-up between Bharath Dharma Jena Sena and the BJP.
Nonsense! We can only term Chandy’s claims utter nonsense (laughter all around). Nothing like that will happen.
Are you also saying that this time too the lotus will not bloom in Kerala?
Yes. No chance (amidst chatter in the background as his supporters joke that if at all it blooms it will be in ponds somewhere).
Following Narendra Modi’s extensive campaign in Kerala, the NDA is confident that momentum is shifting their way.
Before taking charge as Prime Minister, he had many promises but did not fulfill them, instead running away from the country and going globe-trotting. People see through him.
What do you make of the PM’s Somalia statement? Will it in any way swing votes in your favour?
Those who mock at us (Keralites) will end up facing the consequences.
SNDP leader Vellapally Natesan is gunning for the Left. Will his party make a difference on May 19?
Those are pipe dreams. (Achuthanandan shakes his head to communicate that nothing of the sort will happen).
Oommen Chandy has said the fight is between the UDF and the BJP in some pockets, pushing Left to the third place. Your comments.
Has anything that he ever said turned out to be true? (VS glances at his followers with a meaningful smile).
Is Chandy afraid that the third front votes will go to the Left?
I don’t know if he’s thinking like that, but these are outdated thoughts.
The Chief Minister has been saying Saritha (who has levelled allegations against Chandy and his government in the solar scam) is backed by the Left.
VS doesn’t answer, but shakes his head vigorously in disagreement.
Is there a scope for a post-poll political alliance — a realignment within the two fronts?
Nothing like that will happen. As I said earlier, we will have a clear majority. So, that rules out any such possibility.
It is the allegation of both the UDF and the BJP that there’s no development in your constituency — Malampuzha — as there is not even an MLA office in place here.
As if prepared for this question, his close confidants produce a booklet that lists out the developmental initiatives undertaken by the MLA, including setting up of bus stands and a shopping complex worth Rs 85 lakh, a public health centre, drinking water projects and road development initiatives, in addition to Rs 1 crore comprehensive scheme for Nayampadam colony. It covers the eight panchayats — Malampuzha, Mundoor, Puthupariyaram, Akathethara, Marutharoad, Puthuserry, Elapully and Kodumbu. The Mundoor area secretary confirms that the MLA office has been fully operational throughout his tenure.
You have entered the new media through Facebook and Twitter. Can you share with us the experience and the learning process?
It has been an excellent experience. As you know, the media have been giving good coverage for my Facebook posts every day.
The 92-year-old stalwart of the Left movement in India slowly gets up and walks towards the campaign vehicle which has been waiting for some time. Comrades gather around; there are no slogans or red salutes, but excitement writ large on their face. The comrade needs to cover many more panchayats before nightfall. British film maker McDonald, who has been filming the Express interview, gets ready to follow VS in another vehicle. “I’m keeping my fingers crossed. If Left emerges the winner, it’ll be a historic occasion,” he says.
Age: defying leader
He uses social media and connects with people in a way that even young politicians don’t. Even at 92, he is a strong contender for the post of Chief Minister in Kerala if the LDF polls enough numbers
Living in a rented house in Malamp-uzha, his constituency, the leader’s appeal lies in his common-man lifestyle and his popular image among the people who have seen him as someone who has spoke out for the marginalised sections all his life