OJ's Corner-----------------REFLECTIONS


To his luck, V S Achuthanandan has turned out to be the centre-piece and cynosure of the present Assembly elections, not exactly by design but by force of circumstances.

Hats off to him, who had to wage a relentless battle against his rivals for getting even a ticket for the elections. And that too when he has been the fire-brand Opposition Leader in Kerala Assembly.

But then that is the way with the CPM, which cares little about personal equations when it happens to be a party matter.

Initially, the opposition was from his own party leaders. The politburo was phenomenal in denying him a ticket. However, on mounting pressure exerted by the party cadre and people at large, the PB had to renege on its rigidity.

Now after a ticket has been offered, some of his nominees had to be accommodated in various constituencies. This is at least some relief, as the elected members will have a bit of a say in the election of the Chief Minister, even if it is that of the CPM, which has other ideas on the choice.

Taking a cue from the quirk of circumstances resulting in VS shining, the Congress and the UDF had to be on the defensive, targeting VS in the campaign.

There have been so many assertions about VS being unsuitable for the post, now that the LDF and the people have, by and large, accepted the fait accompli leading to VS becoming the CM.

It is yet to be seen whether his rivals in the CPM would be able to turn the tables against him at the last minute, by defeating him at Malampuzha, which appears to be unfeasible, or by mobilising forces against him at the party's State committee and State secretariat levels, if not at the PB conclave.

In the whole gamut of the election scenario, VS stood out in the arc light.

This headstart has been described as media creature. Honestly, that has not been the case. Media is keen to pursue isues and developments. Any turn of events is delicious fodder for it. That the media covered everything about VS turned out to be a blitzkrieg.

Denial of seat for him, the people's fightback, VS' stoic silence for some time, and then occasional retorts have all conferred victimhood on him. The people became sympathetic to him. Apolitical people also stood by him.

As of now, this is not the be-all and the end-all. The party would not offer it on a platter, despite party general secretary Prakash Karat claiming that it would take only a day to clinch the issue.

There are hurdles on the way for VS, but this time he stands on a high pedestal. He cannot be ignored.

Good luck, comrade. You have the last chance to lead the State. And let us see how you fare.