On the 13th death anniversary of the three-time former Kerala Chief Minister EK Nayanar, his son KP Krishnakumar took a veiled dig at the present LDF ministry. In an article for Malayala Manorama, Krishnakumar writes that he wondered how his father would have differently handled present political controversies, if he were alive.
Observing that while many controversies involving the government drag on for weeks these days, his father had an ability to solve problems within a day. The Pinarayi Vijayan-led government has been criticised in the past for lacking efficiency in solving problems, relying too heavily on advisors to deal with issues.
Krishnakumar drew parallels with the way the present administration dealt with crises, stating that where “a needle was enough, a sword was used”. Taking a dig at the way the LDF government dealt with DGP TP Senkumar’s appointment, Krishnakumar writes, “EK Nayanar never differentiated between IAS and IPS officers, whether they are LDF or UDF. The officers were measured based on the duty they did. He had never neglected any officer just because the officer was close to the previous government. Because of this, EK Nayanar’s ministry never had to face IAS, IPS controversies.”
Following TP Senkumar’s removal by the government last year, the Supreme Court recently ordered his reinstatement, slamming the state for making police officers “scapegoats”. The row left the Pinarayi government with a black mark.
The son of the former CM also points out that many politicians get entangled controversies without even meaning to, their words going often going on to hurt them. “But for Nayanar, the people gave an exemption as they were ready to accept whatever he said, even if it was controversial. People knew he had no hidden or individual agenda behind those words,” Krishnakumar states.
He also observes that in his 11 years as Chief Minister, Nayanar never faced a single allegation, something which is unimaginable among present day politicians. “Whenever a new policy is discussed father used to ask, how will it benefit the public,” Krishnakumar writes.
He also goes on to recall the meeting in 2004 between former CM K Karunakaran from the Congress and EK Nayanar, who was getting treated in New Delhi. Calling it was an emotional moment, Krishnakumar writes that off the political field, the two were never rivals. “Whenever a new policy is discussed father used to ask, how will it benefit the public,” Krishnakumar writes.