M. Abdul Kafoor has seen Thalaivar Kalaignar in almost every public meeting, from a distance, for four decades now. The frail 62-year-old man, who sells party souvenirs, is usually seen at meeting venues long before DMK president M. Karunanidhi and other front-line leaders arrive, and leaves much later than them.
Sitting beneath a tree on a pavement next to Kauvery Hospital on T.T.K. Road, the unassuming man is anxiously waiting for his leader to be discharged. “Four decades ago, I used to go to the venues of the DMK’s public meetings to see my leader speak. Later on, I chose to sell souvenirs at the venues,” he says.
Mr. Kafoor doesn’t think twice before setting off for any public meeting addressed by Mr. Karunanidhi or, of late, his son and party working president M.K. Stalin, anywhere in the State.
Murasoli , the DMK mouthpiece founded by Mr. Karunanidhi 75 years ago, has been his guide for planning his travels. “The paper publishes the details of every meeting and the tour programme, and I would go there [the venue] if Thalaivar is addressing it [the meeting],” he says. Being a big fan of the DMK patriarch, Mr. Kafoor fondly recalls having taken the blessings of Mr. Karunanidhi on the occasion of the latter’s birthday at his Gopalapuram residence 20 years ago.
Occupational hazard
Shiny, laminated images of Mr. Karunanidhi and Mr. Stalin smiling, key chains with their faces, party flags and symbols, and pocket-sized diaries are among the souvenirs spread out before the sexagenarian, who lists out the “challenges” that he faces on a regular basis.
Sometimes, there is no information if a meeting is cancelled, and Mr. Kafoor lands up in an empty marriage hall or a vacant ground. “These days, I always make sure that I carry enough money for travel both ways,” he says.
But this was not how it was earlier, he says. Until the death of Ravi, a friendly public relations officer at ‘Arivalayam’ — the party headquarters — in September last year, Mr. Kafoor was getting timely information on last-minute cancellations. “But since his death, there have been new people [posted] at Arivalayam, and I don’t know them yet. So, I don’t get the information,” he adds.
Strangely, he does not hold primary membership of the DMK. “But I am a great fan of Kalaignar and Thalapathi (Stalin). I am more or less a DMK man,” he says.
