Kozhikode: VT Balram, the firebrand young Congress MLA representing the Thrithala assembly constituency, is in a league of his own over his staunch stand and remarks on various issues, despite censure from various quarters over charges of crossing the line. He, perhaps, has the highest number of fan following on Facebook among the Congress leaders in Kerala. His uncompromising stance against the right-wing Hindutva forces as well as the Left in Kerala has invited criticism and praise in equal measure. But unlike the other young leaders, his own party would be in the forefront to criticise him, be it his recent war of words against writer KR Meera or his old remarks on Communist stalwart AK Gopalan's (AKG) personal matters.
What is noteworthy is that Balram does not even care a bit about criticism from his own senior party colleagues, and takes no pain to apologise. What irked him recently was the silence from the writers' fraternity over the brutal killing of the two Youth Congress workers in Kasargod's Periya, allegedly by CPM workers.
Balaram took to his Facebook page to condemn the writers over their silence and alleged that they were not reacting because it was the CPM that was on the wrong side. He went to the extreme to condemn those writers, who were careful enough to either 'balance' the killings or not to directly mention the CPM in whatever they wrote on or against the killings.
The MLA also posted the Facebook post of Kendra Sahitya Academy award-winning novelist KR Meera when the war of words led to near cyberattacks. While Meera's criticism on Balram's age was a humorous poke at the MLA's lack of experience, the latter's comment was criticised as derogatory and a call for cyberlynching.
Among the first to criticise Balram on this was Kozhikode DCC president T Siddique, who had to subsequently face the wrath of the ordinary party workers on social media. The reaction of KPCC president Mullappally Ramachandran was also not different, when he responded to the queries of reporters regarding Balram's comment on Meera. The youth feel he has given a befitting reply to political opponents, be it the CPM or the BJP.
The legislator is popular on social media for not compromising with words in outbursts over any issue.
“Discipline is most important for the party and we can not move forward as a loose organisation,” the KPCC chief said, adding that derogatory comments should not be used on social media, especially against women.
The MLA ignored the KPCC chief's criticism, but detailed in a post his activities in the constituency and explained that he spends only extra time on social media without neglecting his responsibilities as a legislator.
Award-winning director Sanal Kumar Sasidharan had come to his support saying that Balram's criticism on CPM was so sharp that it irritates the party and he had 'just responded to what Meera had said'.
When there was a huge criticism against Balram over his 'paedophile' remark on AKG, senior Congress leaders also stood against him, expressing that Balram would take back those comment and apologise. However, till date, there was no remorse from the MLA, who stood by his conviction that the remark was instantaneous when he was provoked.
Local support
What makes him stand as an independent leader despite criticism from within especially when he has no backing of groups in the party? Is it the social media campaigns alone? His voters say no. For them, he is one of the most accessible leaders, who respects each and every suggestion they put forth.
“VT (as Balram is fondly called) is a man above politics, for he is winning continuously from a Left stronghold only because of his hard work on the field. Thrithala was never in favour of the UDF, but his development projects and the personal affinity towards this young leader, and not Facebook, that drew voters, says Sumesh Chalissery, formerly a CPM member, who designs online political graphics for Balram.
“I had worked with CPM leaders from the area also before taking up VT's works. None was as approachable like him. To meet a CPM MLA, we have to first meet so many leaders below him. VT is not like that, anyone can directly go to him. After taking up his campaigns, I did not renew my membership with the CPM, but preferred to stick to him. He is more professional and responds to each and every queries and suggestions posted in the local social media groups like 'Thrithalapperuma'. What is the problem in a legislator reaching out to public through novel platforms?” Asks Sumesh.
Forty-year-old Balram holds degree in B Tech, LLB and MBA and won first time from Thrithala in 2011 with a margin of 3,197 votes, defeating CPM's P Mammikkutty. In 2016, he increased this margin to 10,547 votes defeating CPM's Subaida Ishac. Balram wrested the seat and Congress retained Thrithala after losing four times after 1987.
“In a pro-Left constituency like Thrithala, his voice is heard not as a Congress leader's. His opinions on the oppressed, especially the LGBT and minority communities, are similar to what the Left leaders used to talk once. I was a follower of SFI on campus, and my family members still support the CPM. But, my support to Balram is not party based, but issue-based. He is familiar to every family in the constituency, he goes out and interacts with them personally. Even if he goes to a school, the kids come out and greet him. Social media is just five per cent of his work in the constituency,” says Shaji Monayi, a teacher from Thrithala.
