E M S Nampoodiripad - 102nd Birth day of the Legend
E M S Nampoodidripad was born on the 13th of June, 1909. Today is his 102nd birth anniversary. He died on 19.3.98, 14 years back.He was one of the main pillars of along with Krishnapilla, A K Gopalan and others from the Kerala State and other states of the country of founding Communist Movement in the state and the country. He with his contemporaries and some of those still living has sacrificed their lives for the improvement of the lives of the have nots and the B P L section of the population of the state and the country.
As far as EMS is concerned, he not only made contributions to the movement physically but also donated all his propertied to the party. He was one of the very few communists who practiced what is preached. He lived a simple life. He was from a very rich landlord family.
EMS was known as the theoretician of the party. He was preaching, has written innumerable books, periodicals, booklets, pamphlets both as his original creation and as translation of other languages on communism and other social and political matters. He was the secretary of CPI & CPIM for a very long time.
He was the leader who created history and revolution by ushering in the 1st ever party breaking the monopoly of the congress of ruling the country till 1957. He was elected from Kozhikode in that year's election with huge margin. He also led the party to majority. In spite of that he took all partners of the LDF and formed the 1st ever Communist Government in the entire world through the process of democratic election. He was the Chief Minister of Kerala, the first one from non congress and from the communist. His Government laid foundations for several revolutionary changes in the fields of land, revenue, education, local self Governing etc. This had rattled the non communists and created a fear that other governments in the country also may follow suit.
So they hatched a conspiracy under the leadership of late Pattom Thanu Pillai and the communal organisations to overthrow the Government of EMS and started an agitation in the name of Liberation movement. Of course a section of the party workers who were overzealous helped the struggle by their over enthusiasm and excesses.
The movement could not overthrow the Government and the Central Government had to interfere and dismiss the government illegally in 1959. He won once again the elections and became Chief Minister in 1967 and was in that position for two and half years. For sometime he has worked as Opposition Leader.
Let us all remember this great son of the soil.