KOCHI: Entry to the CPM’s state conference is restricted only to invitees, especially in the time of the pandemic, but it has not dampened the spirit of a hardcore party worker from Thiruvananthapuram who is trying his luck to enter the venue.
Muthu V, a 50-year-old cook at a hotel from Vellarada and member of Kalayi CPM branch committee in Thiruvananthapuram, is travelling on foot to Ernakulam covering nearly 280km wearing a red dress and with the party flag in his hand.
His intention is simple: Reach the conference venue on Wednesday and personally greet CM Pinarayi Vijayan and catch the next bus back to Thiruvananthapuram.
A Tamilian from Kanyakumari, he has lived in Ottasekharamangalam in Aryancode for more than two decades. Muthu started his journey on February 24 with the support of local party workers in Vellarada.
He even carries a letter from CPM Thiruvananthapuram district committee which helps him to stay at party offices during his journey.
“The Marxist party is an organisation I have had faith since my childhood. I have always wanted to attend a state conference. I am not sure whether I will be alive till the next conference amid this pandemic,” Muthu said.
Though he was scheduled to halt at Haripad on Sunday night Muthu decided to cover more distance as he feared he would not reach Ernakulam on time. But the 80km walk at a stretch from Chavara to Alappuzha has caused severe inflammation on his leg. When asked whether he uses an umbrella to fight the heat, he said “Comrade, I am a communist and why do I need an umbrella?” “The pain is bearable. Throughout the journey I have met several of my fellow comrades and all of them have supported me by giving water and snacks. I eat breakfasts but skip lunch till I reach Ernakulam as it would slow me down,” Muthu said.
When he studied in Class VI, he bunked school and went from Kanyakumari to Trichy after knowing about a party conference taking place there. He said once he loaned Rs 5,000 from a pawn broker for travelling to West Bengal to attend a party congress in the times of Jyoti Basu.
