Cadre rage on poster wars

KOCHI: Writing on the wall, one of the oldest forms of public expression signifying the ability to foresee an impending disaster, comes handy for political activists to question the wisdom of their leaders at the time of the elections. If the posters and wall graffiti across the state questioning the criteria for the selection of candidates is any indication it is time for political class in the state to have a bottom-up approach for candidate selection.

The recurring theme in the posters and graffiti is the failure of the top leadership to respect the sentiments at the grass root level while selecting person to represent the people in the next five years. The culture of ‘poster war’ against the decision of the party has hit the CPM the most. The latest doing rounds is in Aranmula and Irinjalakuda.

In Aranmula posters appeared in the name of Save CPM Forum challenged the decision of the AKG Centre to support Veena George, a news anchor in a Malayalam TV, as the party candidate. The posters stated the people are against ‘payment seat’ (reference to buying seat by payment) and church sponsored candidature.

In Irinjalkuda the posters appeared called for making T Sasidharan, a former president of DYFI as the party candidate. In Ottappalam and Shornur also posters appeared against P Unni and PK Sashi the CPM candidates respectively. Both are accused of being in the payroll of controversial businessman VM Radhakrishnan.

Posters and graffiti linked with candidate selection became a headline grabbing news in connection with the denial of ticket to VS Achuthanandan in 2006. Wall graffiti along with party activists staging protest marches in public compelled the CPM central leadership to intervene and ensure a seat for VS. The supporters of VS resorted to the same tactics in 2011 for ensuring a ticket to their leader.       

Congress and Indian Union Muslim League were also not free from the onslaught of the poster warriors in connection with elections. Posters appeared in Pathanapuaram and Aroor against the move by the congress to field actor Jagadeesh and Siddique as candidates in these two constituencies.

Minister KC Joseph also had to face the poster war in Irikkoor from disgruntled young congress workers. Members of the Youth League also indulged in poster campaign against leaders contesting the polls without giving any opportunity for the young generation.