Opinion

‘I Lost But Palakkad’s People Won’

Ex-<i>Mathrubhumi</i> Independent Palakkad; Lost

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‘I Lost But Palakkad’s People Won’
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Why did I contest the parliamentary election? Was it because of a personal grudge? No. I was standing for the thousands of workers who are part of the media. I am proud to say that my candidature was part of a class war. I was fighting against my ex-boss M.P. Veerendra Kumar, chairman and MD of Mathrubhumi, the formidable Malayalam daily. Part of my struggle was to protest against his callous style of functioning. I was transferred to Guwahati and I worked there as staff correspondent for one year. When Veerendra Kumar decided to contest from Palakkad, my native place, I decided to resign and contest against him to protest.

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Back from Guwahati, the daily phone calls from the public, many from I don’t even know where, was a real morale-booster. These people were talking to me like long-lost friends. A lot of people were worried for me too, afraid that I could even face physical attacks. All kinds of lies were spread too. Some people alleged that I had taken money to contest against Veerendra Kumar. But most working class people identified with me. A young man wrote on my FB page, ‘My dear friend, I don’t know who you are, where you are from. But I certainly know that your struggles are mine too.’ When the results came, everybody was shocked. Veerendra Kumar, who has been in public life for six decades, was defeated by one lakh five thousand votes by M.B. Rajesh of the main opposition, CPI(M). This is his worst loss ever. I got 1,416 votes but more importantly I was able to get the message across to many about what I was fighting for. I lost but I know that thousands of the working class people of Palakkad have won.

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