The roar goes out of Gowri Amma,92

The journey had begun in 1948,when she contested from Cherthala constituency for the erstwhile Thiru-Kochi Assembly. She became a Left minister for four terms and a UDF minister for one. Revenue Minister in the first elected communist government led by E M S Namboothirpadu in 1957,she played a key role in the land reforms that the CPM still boasts about.

On Thursday,at 10.30 am,a small group waits at Anthanarakazhi to receive their “Kunjamma” who will join a UDF roadshow. Everyone whispers about her age. “Whatever she did for this coastal area was during her early days. We do not have much hope in her now,” admits Sundareshan,a voter.

Gowri Amma arrives by car,a pilot vehicle announcing it first. There is no shouting of slogans. Gowri Amma prefers to stay in the car,instead of asking around for votes.

Later,a woman aide helps her out and seats her in a chair a worker comes running with. Amma does not address the crowd,most of its people middle-aged if not elederly. But,with a feeble voice,she does exchange pleasantries with some.

Amma,who turns 93 in July,bristles at the mention of age. “Who says I am too old to contest? I care nothing about age. As a legislator or a minister,I am not going to till the garden in front of the secretariat. My duty will be to go through files using my brain,which is still fit.” She says her contest is for the people. “I have nothing to gain personally by being a legislator for another term.”

The scorching sun proves too much. Gowri Amma returns to her car.

She comes out when Defence Minister A K Antony arrives in an open jeep. Supporters make an attempt,which proves futile,to take her to the jeep.

A crowd of a few hundred has assembled. Nearly one hour after she has reached Arthungal,she speaks. “Vote for my symbol,the bus.” There is no applause.

By noon,she has covered three places. She returns home,hoping to resume after 4 pm.