There was a time when Kerala was seen as that odd guest at a party everybody was fascinated by but nobody could approach. The party was a communist one and so was Kerala in a country that had largely rejected communism since its birth. India was seen as an example of how different kinds of political ideologies could sustain within different states simultaneously. Fast-forward half a century, the reds can barely be spotted at a handful of places and the face of communism has become the widely-detested North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (Photo: Reuters)
Ever since he took over, Kim Jong-un has ruled with an iron fist. He has had his uncle executed, suspected to have ordered the murder of his half-brother who was supposed to inherit the chairmanship of his party and defied US sanctions to develop nuclear warheads. Outside of the pepped up capital of the hermit kingdom, North Korean people really struggle to get even the basic resources and human rights conditions are deplorable. But the sole motive of the Supreme Leader seems to be holding on to power, either by hook or crook, and maintain the presence of his posters all across the country.
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But apparently, his posters are in Kerala too.
As a part of CPI(M)’s area-level conference at Pampadumpara in Idukki district, the party’s local committee erected two flex boards with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un’s photograph. Though the conference ended on December 17, the posters still stand.
So what is he doing in Kerala?
The CPM is known to celebrate leaders who stand against the US and its capitalist policies. According to CPM’s Idukki district secretary K K Jayachandran,
Some local leaders wanted to project Kim as they felt he is the only communist leader who challenges the US. However, the party does not attest that stand. We have asked the local committee concerned to remove both flex boards. As one of the flex boards was not removed till Tuesday, we have asked party leaders to take necessary action.
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CPM already has an unsteady presence in the country. It lost West Bengal last year and many have raised doubts over how the party will perform in the upcoming elections in Tripura. The party really needs to introspect whether praising the North Korean dictator is the only means to protest against the US.
