Kothamangalam: The only Argentine who made it to the flags and publicity material of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of CPM, till now was none other than Ernesto Che Guevara. Fifty years after the Bolivian Rangers gunned down the Marxist revolutionary and former second-in-command to Fidel Castro, Che is making way for another Argentine in DYFI's posters and flex boards now. And, he would not have complained if he were alive, because the man who is edging him out of the posters is a certain Lionel Andres Messi Cuccittini.
Messi's debut match in politics is being played at Kothamangalam, around 50km from Kochi in Kerala.
A few innovative DYFI leaders from this town are determined to make use of the fast spreading World Cup football fever to attract youngsters to the organization.
As part of their plan, the publicity material, announcing the Kothamangalam block meeting of the DYFI, displays photographs of soccer stars like Messi, Brazil's Neymar and Spain captain Sergio Ramos, instead of Che and other Marxist heroes. The meeting is scheduled to be held from June 17 to 19 at Kothamangalam.
With football World Cup round the corner (June 14), nobody is complaining about the missing 'revolutionaries' from the posters.
This is not the first time DYFI's Kothamangalam unit is coming up with innovative ideas to lure youngsters. A few weeks ago when fuel prices soared beyond common man's imagination, the DYFI leaders organised a penalty shootout competition at Thrikkariyoor, near Kothamangalam, to protest against the hike. People from all walks of life were allowed to shoot the ball and the winners were given two litres of petrol. Around 68 people took part in the contest.

DYFI's Ernakulam district committee member Jayakumar said this is the organisation's attempt to draw youngsters' attention and make DYFI more popular. He said this was not the first time DYFI is banking on such measures. Two years ago, the CPM's youth wing had used photographs of Malayalam film's legendary actors like Sathyan and Prem Nazir in its posters.
Jayakumar added that the organisation is not supporting any particular country in the World Cup. The posters have pictures of almost all big names in the WC. However, the DYFI meeting does not have football on its agenda, he added.
The unit had also launched a cleaning drive at government schools in the region recently. Jayakumar said around 17 school premises and water tanks were cleaned. It had also cleaned at least four public wells in the area as part of its public awareness programme. Organic vegetable farming is also on its agenda now.
On June 13, a day before the WC's opening match, they have also decided to set up a goal post near Cherupally in the town and all are welcome to shoot goals. The only rider is the person who wants to take part in the event should wear the jersey of the team s/he supports. Che must be smiling in his grave after seeing 'political power growing out of a football'.
Read more: Latest Kerala news