Vazhoor Soman: A leader rooted in plantation struggles
In 1972, Soman arrived in Peerumedu and joined the Glenmary Estate as a Field Officer.
In 1972, Soman arrived in Peerumedu and joined the Glenmary Estate as a Field Officer.
In 1972, Soman arrived in Peerumedu and joined the Glenmary Estate as a Field Officer.
Idukki: The sudden demise of Vazhoor Soman (72), a CPI legislator, has dealt a heavy blow to the plantation sector of Peerumedu. For over five decades, he stood at the forefront of struggles faced by estate workers, ultimately becoming their trusted leader.
In 1972, Soman arrived in Peerumedu and joined the Glenmary Estate as a Field Officer. While staying with his brother, KP Das, he soon stepped into politics through local offices in Peerumedu. As an active leader of AISF and AIYF, student and youth outfits of Communist Party of India (CPI), he later began working for unorganised plantation workers.
When former Deputy Speaker CA Kurian contested from the Peerumedu Assembly constituency in 1977 and 1980, Soman played a key role in the campaign. Gradually, he rose to leadership in AITUC’s High Range Estate Labour Union. At a time when INTUC, a Congress-affiliated trade union, held a strong grip over estate workers, Soman was instrumental in bringing many of them into the fold of AITUC (All India Trade Union Congress), affiliated with the Communist Party of India (CPI).
Colleagues recall him as a leader who made immense sacrifices to strengthen the CPI and AITUC in the Peerumedu taluk, standing shoulder to shoulder with Kurian.
From AITUC leader to MLA
Soman’s leadership eventually elevated him to represent Peerumedu—the plantation belt constituency—as MLA.
Born on September 14, 1952, at Vazhoor in Kottayam district to Kunjupappan and Parvathy, Soman entered politics through AISF. He also served as Chairman of the Welfare Standing Committee of Idukki District Panchayat and as Chairman of the State Warehousing Corporation.
In the 2021 Assembly election, he defeated Congress candidate Syriac Thomas by a margin of 1,835 votes to win the Peerumedu constituency. His unexpected demise while serving as MLA has left a deep void in the political and plantation landscape of Idukki.
Final journey without fulfilling a dream
The senior CPI leader passed away without realising his long-cherished dream of reopening the Peerumedu Tea Company, which has remained shut for the past 25 years. Throughout his life, he worked tirelessly for the upliftment of poor plantation workers and consistently intervened to resolve pressing issues in his constituency.
Just hours before leaving for Thiruvananthapuram—on what turned out to be his final trip—Soman visited the Peerumedu Taluk Office, where he held discussions with the Tahsildar and revenue officials. He had been actively formulating several development projects in association with the Revenue Minister, including the distribution of over 806 land titles, renovation of revenue quarters, and sanctioning a dedicated vehicle for the Peerumedu Taluk Office.
Funeral at his Peerumedu residence
The veteran leader, who was also a member of the CPI State Council, breathed his last following a cardiac arrest while attending the district revenue assembly in Thiruvananthapuram.
His mortal remains will be brought to Peerumedu on Thursday night. Public homage will be held at Vandiperiyar Town Hall from 11 am on Friday. The funeral will take place at 4 pm on the premises of his residence at Valaradi.
He is survived by his wife, Bindu Soman; sons, Adv. Sobin Soman (CPI Idukki District Council Member) and Sobith Soman (Mathrubhumi, Kozhikode); and daughter-in-law, Poojitha.