THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: June 2015. Campaigning for the Aruvikkara byelection - necessitated by sitting MLA G Karthikeyan’s untimely demise - was on. Fresh out of the budget bedlam in the Assembly, a resolute LDF was leaving no stones unturned to make it happen. Kick-starting the poll campaign at Aryanad, the then Opposition LDF had an array of political titans seated on the dais.
Prominent names like CPM state chief Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, CPI state chief Kanam Rajendran, R Balakrishna Pillai, Vaikom Viswan, M V Jayarajan and M V Govindan. But for the sizeable crowd which gathered there, it was a short man who left an indelible impression on their minds.
An unassuming leader, Uzhavoor chose not to attack political adversaries 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 BJP candidate 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, by fielding him in elections repeatedly. A crowd-puller in the fullest sense of the word, Uzhavoor was considered the LDF’s warhorse for both defence and offence. His satirical take on issues worked to the Left’s advantage, especially in times of crisis.
He was a true champion of secularism and stood with the LDF like a rock, according to senior CPI leader Pannian Raveendran. The NCP made a mark in recent Kerala politics only because of Uzhavoor. “While major political debates raged in the presence of political stalwarts like V S Achuthanandan, it was Uzhavoor 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,” said Pannian, whose shared close ties with Uzhavoor for well over 25 years.
Crisis always brought out the best in him as evidenced by the damage control exercise undertaken following NCP nominee A K Saseendran’s sudden ouster from the Pinarayi Cabinet. As reports of a schism within the state NCP over Saseendran’s replacement emerged, Vijayan remained unruffled.
“ I’m sure Pinarayi Vijayan takes a call on the NCP ministership as per my word. But why should I proclaim it? If they feel happy with such statements, let them be!,” Uzhavoor had told Express at the time.
His oratorical skills - much like those of the inimitable E K Nayanar, Lonappan Nambadan and T K Hamza - enabled Uzhavoor to carve out a niche for himself in Kerala politics and he seldom missed an opportunity to take a dig at his political adversaries.
Serious political debates were abridged in simple satire doled out humorously, prompting the audience to eagerly await him at every gathering. None of his sarcastic comments were however aimed at hurting the opponents. Instead these were salvos for the masses to enjoy a laugh. Though he was never stingy with his criticism, he never had any political foes. Even those, who were being criticised, enjoyed it. Just a hilarious mention of cinema which touched upon all aspects of social life could have the audience in splits.
The Laughing riot
His was a style that made even CPM strongman Pinarayi Vijayan laugh uncontrollably, when he compared Pinarayi to ‘Pulimurugan’, the larger-than-life character essayed by Mohanlal in the eponymous blockbuster.
Criticising the Oommen Chandy Government’s liquor policy, Uzhavoor said, “While the Modi Government is implementing ‘Ghar Wapsi’, the Chandy Government is going for‘Bar Wapsi.”
Hundreds pay tributes
Hundreds paid last respects to Uzhavoor Vijayan at Thirunakkara grounds in Kottayam,including ministers K Raju, Mathew T Thomas, former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, Kerala Congress leader K M Mani and CSI Moderator Bishop Thomas K Oommen.
