: Leaders from across Kerala’s political spectrum gathered at the VJT Hall here on Monday to commemorate the late Speaker G. Karthikeyan..
The former Defence Minister A.K. Antony encapsulated the mood of the gathering when he said there was nothing more sorrowful to a man than to mourn his younger brother.
He reminisced about their shared political past and recalled Karthikeyan’s rise from a firebrand student leader to a mature politician.
During the tumultuous years of Congress factional politics in Kerala, Mr. Antony and Karthikeyan had found themselves in opposite camps. However, the warmth of their friendship went beyond the vehemence of the so-called group war.
Leader of the Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan said through his legislative actions, Karthikeyan had set a model for future Speakers of the House. Karthikeyan did away with the colonial era practice of conducting the business of the House under the protection of its Watch and Ward. He was a mass leader, Mr. Achuthanandan said.
Communist Party of India (Marxist) State secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said he had lost a close comrade. In personal relations, Karthikeyan could transcend all political differences.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said Karthikeyan had founded the Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology and made it a premium scientific institution in the country. As Speaker, he had never denied the Opposition its right to move adjournment motions. He stood for the universal democratic right to dissent, protest and question.
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, KPCC president V. . Sudheeran, CPI leader Pannian Ravindran, BJP leader O. Rajagopal, UDF convener P.P. Thankachan, Ministers P.K. Kunhalikutty, K.M. Mani and K.P. Mohanan were among those present.
The District Congress Committee had called the condolence meeting.
