Was it by design or by accident that solar scam accused Saritha S. Nair’s reappearance in the media after a hiatus coincided with the worsening squabbles within the ruling UDF? In any case, political pundits admit, it has contributed in no small measure to the soaring political temperature in Kerala.
The contents of the letter purportedly written by her that appeared in a section of the media and her subsequent denial opened a can of worms and provided ammunition for the warring politicians to settle scores with each other and that naturally raised more than ordinary curiosity among mediapersons.
Naturally, mediapersons turned up in strength to attend Saritha’s press conferences in Pathanamthitta and later in Thiruvananthapuram the same day to listen to what she had to say
At the State capital, she was quite shrill in her denial of any link with the leaked portion. Waving the ‘original’ letter she had written, the lady said the real ‘letter’ had no reference to the persons mentioned in the news reports. Saritha refused to disclose the contents of what she claimed to be the ‘original’ letter, while holding up the papers for photographers to click away.
Interestingly, the very name that she denied having penned in the letter, appeared prominently in the grabs captured by a few of the lensmen.
Saritha’s pithy remarks about certain politicians only added to the feeling that she was not just basking in the limelight, but add her bit to the political debate that was on in the capital, not merely in terms of words but also material evidence that could be interpreted whichever way one wished to.
It is a cliché that there are no permanent friends or enemies in politics. But the modern-day adage appears to be turning true far too frequently in Kerala’s political circles, particularly in the turbulent world of Kerala Congress politics.
Until a few weeks ago, former Union Minister P.C. Thomas, heading one of the Kerala Congresses, was a sworn enemy of Finance Minister K.M. Mani, who heads the Kerala Congress (M), and one of his bitterest critics. No longer so, if one were to go by his recent utterances.
Although his former party colleagues still hold the view that Mr. Mani must step down in the light of the allegations that he had accepted bribe from liquor bar owners, Mr. Thomas does not think so. He has taken the position that Mr. Mani need not step down until a court finds him guilty of the charge.
Mr. Mani, who has been at the receiving end of some sharp attack from his estranged party vice-chairman P.C. George over the graft issue, was heard welcoming Mr. Thomas’ new stance on the issue. The talk now is about the possibility of Mr. Mani and Mr. Thomas going in for what would clearly be a historic handshake.
(With inputs from
T. Nandakumar and
C. Gouridasan Nair in Thiruvananthapuram)
Saritha S. Nair’s reappearance in the media after a hiatus has contributed in no small measure to the soaring political temperature in Kerala
