Tough Marxist to people's CM Pinarayi Vijayan; makeover days ahead?

Thiruvananthapuram: Is Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan trying for an image makeover? From that of a tough-looking no-nonsense Chief Minister who keeps mostly to himself to a people’s man? If indications are right, then there is a chance.  The Chief Minister who stopped the practice of meeting journalists after every cabinet meeting is now busy recording a television debate anchored by television-anchor-turned legislator from Aranmula Veena George. Produced by C-DIT, the weekly debate will hit the television screens on November 1, the state formation day, in all likelihood.

Currently discussions are on with leading Malayalam television channels for airing it. Five episodes discussing topics ranging from women empowerment to child safety to agriculture issues have already been shot.  Mr Vijayan trekked up the eight-kilometre dense forest path to reach Sannidhanam at Sabarimala from Pamba last week. A top police official who accompanied told DC that he was surprised to see the CM not taking a break and maintained the same pace throughout his uphill journey. “The journey uphill is through a difficult terrain,” said the officer. “What surprised me was that he did not bother to take a minute’s rest. He even declined an offer of drinking water.”

A study group led by Dr T. M. Thomas Isaac, set up by the CPM central committee some time back to give suggest ways to expand the base in the state, had, among others, suggested taking out parallel ‘renaissance’ processions during Sreekrishna Jayanti celebrations in Kannur. Mr Vijayan was keen to convey too all concerned that temple rituals and traditions do not belong exclusively to the Sangh Parivar.

Sources close to the chief minister vouch that his looks can be deceptive as he is a family man and a pet lover, the latter quality not many are aware of.  He is now a proud owner of a six-and-a-half month old black Labrador pup, Robin, who ensures that he gets two small plantains every day for breakfast from his master without fail. But that does not mean that the old Mr Vijayan has ceased to exist: it was only last week he publicly rebuked a young IAS officer at a function. Old habits die hard, right?