Assembly in 2021 Just before the election, a new ‘Captain’ emerged in Kerala. Captain Pinarayi Vijayan was affectionately gifted by LDF activists as the Chief Minister who led Kerala in times of crisis. The CM did not publicly acknowledge the call but did not publicly oppose the call. However, following the big defeat in Thrikkakara, the discussion on who is the real captain filled the social media. Hibi Eden MP posted a picture of himself with the Leader of the Opposition on social media with the caption ‘I like to stand back … Captain (Original)’ and intensified the discussion. When the fans affectionately called him captain and leader, VD Satheesan realized the trap behind it and publicly rejected it all. Though fans have given nicknames to all the important leaders in Tamil Nadu like Makkal Thilakam, Kalaignar and Thalaivi, very few in Kerala have nicknames stuck in their hearts. Others have abbreviated their own name. Some are known by their place name. Those curiosities in the nicknames of Kerala politics are now …
