M.M. Mani (in picture) was able to partially mend the damage he had done by calling CPI ministers idiots.If currency notes of Rs 500 and Rs 10,00 became invalid due to demonetization, degeneration of values in politics is directly connected to the deeds and words of politicians.
Words uttered without thought can do irreparable damage and even render friendships invalid. While some attempt to resolve fissures, there are a few who stick to their stubborn stance.
M.M. Mani was able to partially mend the damage he had done by calling CPI ministers idiots. Mani, who as chief whip, is responsible for maintaining cordial relations with the opposition, chanced to meet minister V.S. Sunil Kumar in the Assembly. Kumar waved at Mani, the duo sat together for half-an-hour and the differences ended. “I didn’t say anything against you (Sunil). It was media’s interpretation”, Mani told Kumar. “Then what about the comment against minister E. Chandrasekharan,” Kumar asked. “I couldn’t meet him to clear the air,’’ Mani replied.
However, Mani’s differences with the revenue minister’s attitude towards land issues in Idukki still persist. “I kept quiet as Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has asked me to ignore the sarcastic article in ‘Janayugam’, which referred to me as Arattu Mundan”, Mani told Sunil.
The images and visuals of N.K. Premachandran receiving Chief Minister Pinarayai Vijayan, who had come to offer his respects to departed RSP leader V.P. Ramakrishna Pillai, invoked curiosity. Were they able to bury the differences, which cropped out of Pinaryai’s infamous `Paranari’ reference during the last Lok Sabha elections, one wonders.
When the MPs’ meeting was held in Delhi, Premachandran and a few CPM MPs arrived late. As he entered the hall, Pinarayi asked: “Premachandran, was your flight late?” It was clear that the name (Premachandran) was called deliberately.
Later, when Premachandran had issues with the date regarding the inauguration of ESI Medical College Hospital in Parippally, he called Pinarayi over phone and apprised him of the situation. The chief minister didn’t mind changing the date to the MP’s convenience.
Before this, Pinarayi’s verbal darts against Manjalamkuzhi Ali had created quite a buzz in political circles. Shortly after the incident, both of them met accidentally during a train journey and exchanged pleasantries, burying their differences.
T.M. Thomas Isaac and V.D. Satheesan were good friends until Santiago Martin created a rift between the two. Both of them were not on talking terms after a debate in the press club. But slowly, the friendship was reestablished. “Thomas Isaac is one of the best finance minister Kerala has ever seen. It was my respect, which was responsible for reestablishing our friendship,’’ said Satheeshan. Although his remarks against Elamarakkara Karim and P.K. Sreemathy haven’t rocked Satheesan’s friendship with them, he doubts fisheries minister J. Mercykutty Amma has taken his criticism personally.
Those who have observed VS and P.K. Kunhalikutty from close quarters know that the two were bitter rivals; but surprisingly, they have now started treating each other cordially. Many credit Kunjalikutty, who is known for his assuaging skills for the change, but the IUML leader remains noncommittal.
R. Balakrishna Pillai has expressed his desire before the Muslim leadership to solve the issue between his son K.B. Ganesh Kumar and V.K. Ebrahimkunju- who locked horns in the Assembly - by withdrawing the case against the former minister of public works.
When VS reacted to the extreme usage of ‘capital punishment’ during an inter-party rivalry, M. Swaraj chose to stick to his stance that his speech at the party conference was distorted by the media.
K.M. Mani and P.C. George don’t waste opportunities to have a go at each other in the Assembly. Interestingly, at the Assembly canteen, George takes an initiative to crack jokes with Mani.
When the party split, Mani described George as a parasite and the latter retorted to it by calling the Kerala Congress leader an Acacia tree, which absorbs all the water around it. The saving grace was that the matter didn’t become physical between the two.
