'Proud that Suresh Kurup's mind is with TP'; cannot forget that blood-soaked ticket, says Rema

KOZHIKODE: "On the morning of May 4, TP Chandrasekharan had purchased a train ticket to travel to Kottayam for Suresh Kurup's son's wedding. He was with me until noon that day. He had lunch at home before leaving. The night before, he asked me whether I would join him for the wedding. I said I wouldn't. I didn’t feel like stopping him either. He loved maintaining friendships so much that I couldn’t hold him back. He shared a great friendship with Suresh Kurup. The wedding was on May 13, but he had booked his ticket early. On May 4, they took him away from our lives. It has been 13 years since then," recalled KK Rema in an emotional conversation with Kerala Kaumudi.

When TP was brutally hacked to death with 51 cuts on May 4, 2012, the railway ticket he had purchased for Suresh Kurup's son's wedding remained intact in the blood-soaked pocket of his shirt. As Suresh Kurup emotionally recounted this to Kerala Kaumudi, KK Rema’s heart ached once more with the painful memory.

"My days and nights revolve around TP. Our son's wedding is on January 24. If TP were here, it would have been a grand celebration. Even so, I have invited all of TP's close friends. This includes CPM leaders. Suresh Kurup and his family have confirmed they will attend. When TP passed away, Kurup could not attend and expressed his grief in tears, which I understand," said Rema.

"You must remember that the majority of people within the CPM disagreed with TP’s murder. Many of them still call me. They will all attend the wedding. I have invited several of TP's close friends who still hold him in their hearts, along with MLAs and ministers. I have even sent a letter to the Chief Minister’s office. I personally called CPM State Secretary Govindan Master, and he said he would attend. But I haven’t invited everyone. There are some people whom even TP's soul would never forgive," Rema concluded.

Party will not prohibit anyone from attending wedding

Meanwhile, the CPM clarified its stance, stating that it would not prohibit anyone from attending the wedding. "Those invited are free to attend. The party has not issued any directive against it. It’s not our custom to do so. After all, TP’s son is ours as well," said a CPM leader who had been invited to the wedding.