The Assembly on Wednesday paid glowing tributes to veteran politician K.M. Mani who completed 50 years as legislator.
Cutting across party lines, members of the House joined Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan in highlighting Mr. Mani’s diligence and prowess as a legislator and politician. Mr. Sreeramakrishnan said Mr. Mani today occupied a unique position in parliamentary history. Praising his sense of humour and dignified presence in the House, he said Mr. Mani was a model for young politicians.
Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said Mr. Mani, through his 50 years of legislative experience, had scripted history for the Kerala Assembly. “It is a matter of pride for the House that even political stalwarts such as A.B. Vajpayee, Indrajit Gupta and Somnath Chatterjee could not claim the unbroken record of Mr. Mani who was returned from the same constituency since 1967 and was a member of rival coalitions.”
Karunya
Recalling Mr. Mani’s introduction of the Finance Bill for the first time in the House, Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala said he would also be remembered for the Karunya Benevolent Fund, his pet scheme.
“Mani Sir is known for doing his homework meticulously, be it for a speech in the Assembly or a press conference.”
Describing Mr. Mani as a rare phenomenon, former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy underlined his thrust on the agricultural sector and welfare measures for farmers and farm workers throughout the 13 budgets he presented as the Finance Minister. Mr. Mani’s former ally who later turned political foe, P.C. George, also saluted the veteran, terming his achievement as historic.
‘Honoured’
In his reply, Mr. Mani said he felt honoured by the compliments showered on him. “I now realize that many people whom I had considered my enemies are actually my friends.”
Mr. Mani said he had been a student of politics throughout his tenure as a legislator. Acknowledging the voters of Pala, his home turf, he said he owed everything to their trust in him. Apart from completing 50 years as MLA, Mr. Mani also holds the record for handling the Finance portfolio and presenting 13 budgets. He had been a member of the Congress Legislature Party in the Kerala Assembly before forming his own political outfit, the Kerala Congress (M), which has been a part of the LDF and the UDF.
In 2016, he broke off from the UDF along with other MLAs to form an independent block in the House.
