Escapes and the Escapades of the Mogul of CPI(M)

The three times Chief Minister of Kerala, he had been on several hide and seek ventures for being a part of the most bizarre, and sparking events that transpired before and after the independence of India.

To the man who envisioned an egalitarian society in India; Image Source: Praveen c r, Blogpost.com

Born into the aristocratic and affluent feudal family of Nambiar in Kannur, Erambala Krishnan Nayanar was a significantly rebellious child, who would often take part in protests against the exploitations and tortures caused by the zamindars in the colonial state of India. His conduct would often land him in serious confrontations with his father who completely opposed his revolutionary influences from his cousin K. P. R. Gopalan. The future Chief Minister of Kerala in independent India had seen many ups and downs in his life. He even dropped out of school during his participation in Malabar students’ struggle of Balasangham.

Freedom struggle against the British forces was at its peak during his childhood, hence, socialist ideology attracted his wisdom to such a level that he went on to become a stalwart leader of the Communist Party of India before its independence.

His political affiliations were earlier tied with the Indian National Congress party but the increasing rift of ideology led to his shift from the party. Several movements and agitations against the British administration were led by him. In 1940, during the Aaron Mill Worker’s protest, he was arrested for six months. The Morazha Rally against the incessant rise of prices turned hostile and resulted in the killing of two policemen. Fearing an arrest, he fled and hid in the jungles of Eleri. During his hideout, he wasn’t aware of the fact that his name was never on the charge sheet and he worked as a journalist for Kerala Kaumudi with no idea of it.

After independence, though his charges were put to rest, his escapades continued in India. The contentious Calcutta Thesis proclamation, which led to agitations across Indian provinces resulted in the strict ban of the Communist Party of India, which again drove Nayanar to go underground. During the Sino- Indian war, Nayanar was accused of siding with the Chinese which led to his imprisonment under the Preventive Detention Act. Perhaps, his sly interface with escapes before independence was just the beginning.

His legislative career shone out like none in the communist party, and he got elected as the Member of Legislative Assembly on six glorious occasions! Elected as the Chief Minister of Kerala thrice, he became the doyen of the workers and their rights. With the efficient schemes and acts like, The Kerala Coir Workers Welfare Fund Act, 1987, The Kerala Khadi Workers’ Welfare Fund Act, 1989, The Kerala Abkari Workers Welfare Fund Act, 1989, The Kerala Construction Workers’ Welfare Fund Act, 1989 and the Kerala Ration Dealer's Welfare Fund Act, 1998.

A poet in his free time, and a notable observer of political and Marxist ideological development in India, he had penned various publications in English and Malayalam. The Doha Diary, Memories of Hideout days, Nehru-Gandhi Study, American Diary are some of his famous memoirs.

Indeed, his political farsightedness and welfare programmes during his tenure as the chief minister, made him a revered figure who was paid respect even by the Left-Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) coalitions.