Thrissur: Looking to shape a new political discourse with a distinct style of functioning that was reminiscent of the 1980s and 90s in Kerala where political leaders made an outreach to leaders of all spectrums, actor turned minister Suresh Gopi is now looking to embark on a journey which looks similar to those days. The question remains on whether the new style of politics will find acceptance as the political polarization in Kerala has come to a peak with the state more inclined to left-wing politics.
Two important visits – one, to the residence of former Chief Minister EK Nayanar, a veteran Communist leader and two, to the residence of K Karunakaran, the former Chief Minister, known popularly as ‘Leader’ and a tall Congress leader, have created a political flutter. Both visits have surprised many not just from the Congress and the CPI(M), but also from the BJP.
Actor-politician Suresh Gopi was sworn in as the Minister of State (MoS) in the Modi 3.0 cabinet. He paid a visit on June 12th to the residence of EK Nayanar, the former Communist Chief Minister and met Sharada teacher, wife of Nayanar and shared old memories besides having lunch together. While leaving, Sharada teacher gifted a book ‘Ormakalil Ente Priya Saghavu’ (Memories of my dear comrade) written by her.
It was just three days after the visit to Nayanar’s residence that Suresh Gopi paid a visit to ‘Murali Nilayam’, the one-time residence of late Congress leader and former Chief Minister K Karunakaran. Suresh Gopi paid floral tributes at the Karunakaran memorial and spent time with his family members.
Suresh Gopi had shared a cordial relationship with both the former Chief Ministers whom he admired a lot. The actor-politician has been vocal about this even after joining the BJP and had expressed it during the election campaigning in Thrissur.
“This is indeed a good social and political gesture that can be looked upon by all political party leaders. He already had a good relationship with both the former chief ministers who are no more now. He has been vocal about them on multiple occasions. However, in this age of politics where these kinds of outreaches are rarely witnessed, this is truly a welcoming stance by Suresh Gopi”, said Sreejith Panicker, a political commentator and analyst in Kerala.
Interestingly, Suresh Gopi also visited writer T Padmanabhan, a harsh critic of Narendra Modi and the BJP and sought his blessings after he took oath as the MoS in the Modi cabinet.
The visit by Suresh Gopi to the residences of the veteran leaders are been watched very cautiously by leaders of both the CPI(M) and the Congress.
“Its very early to say what kind of politics Suresh Gopi is assuming. From now on, he is a minister and not just a BJP leader. He has to deliver on the promises he made,” said Rahul Chandran, a CPI(M) leader and lawyer based in Ernakulam.
Even though Suresh Gopi has been contesting on a BJP ticket from 2019 onwards, his political and social gestures are a signal that the actor-politician is not a seasonal BJP politician. He has been following a unique and distinct style of politics that at times reminds the public and the media of his characters in his famous movies which have earned him the tag of the ‘angry young man’ and later the ‘police star’.
His comments and speeches during the election campaigning or in other instances has indicated that he is clearly looking to build a political space within the right-wing politics where his ‘political masters’ are Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Amit Shah.
During a speech in Thrissur, Suresh Gopi even proclaimed it in the presence of the state BJP leaders including BJP state president K Surendran and then Union Minister V Muralidharan.
“Suresh Gopi has a vision and he will move as per his convictions. He has a clear outlook on the state development and politics,” said P Raja Gopal, a BJP leader from Ernakulam.
With BJP opening its account in the Lok Sabha elections in Kerala, and Suresh Gopi’s political journey at a critical juncture as he represents the union cabinet with two major portfolios – Tourism and Petroleum, his plans and decisions on critical issues and development matters will be keenly watched.
Looking to shape a new political discourse with a distinct style of functioning that was reminiscent of the 1980s and 90s in Kerala where political leaders made an outreach to leaders of all spectrums, actor turned minister Suresh Gopi is now looking to embark on a journey which looks similar to those days. Kerala States News India: Top News India, States News, States News Headlines, Online State News India, State Politics news
