PINARAYI (KANNUR): Pinarayi is not a just a village in Kannur for the CPM. Its most famous resident is considered as the party's last word in the state. After two decades, when politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan contested from Dharmadam constituency which includes Pinarayi panchayat, the challenge before the party workers was not just to make him victorious but to give their supreme leader a fitting margin. And, they did it with a whopping 36,905 votes’ margin, bettering K.K Narayanan's 15,162 lead in 2011.
On the morning of counting day, Pinarayi Vijayan was at Payyambalam to pay tribute to former chief minister E.K. Nayanar on his 12th death anniversary . However, Pinarayi town started its preparations to celebrate its leader's victory as early at 7 a.m. The party workers set up a big screen near the LDF election committee office to watch the live TV coverage, and nearby, another team of party men was busy preparing chicken biriyani for the public.
“We are only worried about his margin. According to our calculation he will get between 25,000 and 30,000,” said Pinarayi town ward member K.P. Aslam. Another panchayat member Rajan soon came with the news that Pinarayi Vijyan would come at 3 p.m. to the town junction to address the people.
By 9.20 a.m., the party workers started bursting crackers as Pinarayi Vijayan's lead crossed 15,000. Local committee secretary and close confidant of Mr Vijayan , Kakkoth Rajan was also seen visiting the spot , giving directions to the party workers. “He is one among us and his victory with a record margin is what we are looking for. The entire town is waiting for it,” said DYFI Mambaram village secretary Shailesh. “Tonight is to celebrate and not to sleep,” added a young party worker Nipin, who spoke while dancing with a group of youngsters.
The gathering in the town started bursting more crackers as they heard the defeat of the party's staunch enemy and Congress leader K Sudhakaran in Uduma. The crowd also celebrated Minister K. Babu's defeat in Thrippunithura and K.P. Mohanan’s in Kuthuparamba. As the LDF regained power with 91 seats, party workers from other areas came to the spot in large numbers in vehicles , turning the roads to red.
At 3 p.m, Pinarayi Vijayan along with Rajya Sabha MP K.K. Ragesh came to the town in an open jeep to address the crowd. His wife Kamala Vijayan was on the front row of the party workers gathered to welcome the vehicle procession. In an emotional speech, Pinarayi Vijayan thanked his party workers for giving him a thumping victory.
“When I faced opposition and attacks from many from all corners, it was the support from my comrades which helped me to overcome those challenges successfully. Your love and affection for me have been reflected in the election results too. I will do my level best not to disappoint you as your representative,” he summed up, while hundreds of party workers raised slogans expressing their love and support to the man who made their village famous.
