This vendor follows 'red' line to be in black

Sixty-one-year old Jaiprakash wears the colour of revolution — red — even in his smile, thanks to his weakness for paan.

Unfazed by the sultry heat of Vijayawada, the vendor from Tamil Nadu sits on the footpath outside the Thummalapalli Kalashetram — the auditorium hosting the CPI(M)’s extended Central Committee meeting. On a white plastic sheet, he has spread out his wares: White hats with the party’s hammer-and-sickle symbol, handkerchiefs with the logo of the Democratic Youth Federation of India, the CPI(M)’s youth wing, badges with pictures of Che Guevara and Jyoti Basu, the CPI(M)’s unmistakable red flag and cheap plastic key rings with the CPI(M) symbol.

 

But Jaiprakash is not just any vendor on the streets of Vijayawada, the erstwhile business capital of Andhra Pradesh. The whole of India is his market — and his cust-omers, wherever the CPI(M) gathers for a major meeting.

“In 1982, I started selling these items from Vijayawada. The 11th Party Congress of the CPI(M) was on. It was held in the same auditorium. And I was sitting here with many gift items,” Jaiprakash says in broken Hindi.

His son, Ananth, has a Masters degree in computer science and works for an information technology company in Chennai. His daughter is married. Jaiprakash is a hardcore CPI(M) supporter but has learnt to make money while the comrades engage in brainstorming sessions.

“I have travelled to Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and many parts of Kerala. Whenever the party gathers for a major meeting followed by rallies, I am there to sell these items,” says Jaiprakash. He came to Vijayawada from his hometown, Salem, and will head for Kerala next month for the party’s state-level meeting.

“Many big leaders have bought souvenirs and gift items from me. I remember, once E K Nayanar (former chief minister of Kerala) came and bought a hat. I have sold items to Sitaram Yechury and Prakash Karat as well. But nowadays, no big leader comes to buy from me, only supporters come,” he says.

Before coming to Vijayawada, he bought goods worth Rs 10,000 to augment stocks. “But I am confident I will be able to sell all these items,” says Jaiprakash, as he hands over a white hat to a customer. “In the first two days, business was slow. But as there is a rally today, the supporters who have come from outside the state are buying gifts at my shop,” he says with a smile.

The hawker has brought a young assistant from his neighbourhood, his insurance against advancing age. How long does he plan to travel like this, hopping from one CPI(M) venue to another? “It’s not just a business for me. I also feel I am doing something for the party. Moreover, I get to see my country,” Jaiprakash smiles, the red glowing as business soars on the final day of the extended Central Committee meet.