It is 'Kerala Politics Pvt. Ltd.'

By K.M. Thampi

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JAN. 26. Is Kerala politics fast turning into a private limited company ?

It seems so for the children of at least half a dozen top politicians are waiting in the wings, impatiently, to make their grand entry into the world of politics and power despite their sires' claims to the contrary.

Prominent among them is Ms. Padmaja, daughter of the Congress(I) leader, Mr. K.Karunakaran. His son, Mr.K. Muralidharan, is already a Lok Sabha member.

Even though the veteran Congress(I) leader declared only a few days ago that neither he nor his children will be candidates for the coming Assembly elections, the people who know him take such declarations with a pinch of salt. For, the other day he amended his declaration and said that he will abide by the deccision of the party high command. It means that he will contest if the party wants him to or if he wants to. The same amendment probably applies to his daughter as well.

Ms. Padmaja, who had been in the background for most of the period during which Mr.Karunakaran was Chief Minister, shot into the limelight in the early Nineties. She was brought to the centrestage by rival groups of the Congress(I) who had alleged that a caucus consisting of persons close to Mr. Karunakaran, including his children, was ruling the State when he was convalescing after a road accident. They had even dubbed it `Cliff House caucus' after the name of the official residence of the Chief Minister. But Ms. Padmaja faded into the background after Mr. Karunakaran returned. Now she wants to make her presence felt.

Mr. Muralidharan too had entered politics after several false alarms and after being tried and tested in many other fields. He took the plunge after those concerned realised that his talents were more suitable for politics than for any other field. He has blossomed into a politician with savvy and clout and is currently doing his third term as MP.

Mr. Ganeshan, son of the Kerala Congress(B) leader, Mr. R. Balakrishna Pillai, is another person who is tipped to enter politics soon. Unlike his father who entered active politics at a very young age, Mr. Ganeshan was lured by the glitter and glamour of the tinsel world. Over the years he has developed into a fairly good actor, has done a few memorable roles and is still in demand. In Kerala, the film field and politics do not play complementary roles as they do in Tamil Nadu. Even the popular Prem Nazir lost an election during the height of his career. Mr. Ganeshan and Mr. Pillai might be aware of it. But then Mr. Ganeshan is not Nazir, the times have changed and history need not repeat itself. The father and son are probably banking on these three factors.

Another youngster being groomed for politics is Mr. Jose K. Mani, son of the Kerala Congress(M) leader, Mr. K.M. Mani. An officer in GIC Housing Finance, he has already been made a state committee member of the Kerala Youth Front (M) which is the feeder organisation of the KC(M). Even though Mr. Mani openly acknowledged the political acumen of his son when reporters broached the subject the other day, he seemed to feel that the youngster should wait a bit more before taking the plunge. The Kerala Congress(Jacob) leader, Mr. T.M. Jacob, is also reportedly putting his son through the paces by enlisting him in the students wing of the party. But he may have to wait for a few more years before entering electoral politics.

There is another category of siblings: those who are already in but yet to get a good break. This list is headed by Mr. E.M. Sreedharan, son of E.M.S. Namboodiripad. He is yet to make a mark though he has fought a couple of elections. Mr.A. Sambath, son of the CPI(M) leader, Mr.K. Anirudhan, has served one term as Lok Sabha member but is yet to be given a stellar role in CPI(M) politics. Mr.Shibu, son of Mr. Baby John, is reportedly preparing to contest in his father's pocket borough, Chavara, in the coming elections as the latter is planning to retire after a long innings in politics because of ill health and old age.

The sons of five well known politicians are already sitting members of the Assembly and some of them are doing very well. Prominent among them is Dr.M.K. Muneer, son of C.H.Mohammed Koya who has probably handled everything from the Chief Ministership and Deputy Chief Ministership to most of the major departments in the State. Dr. Muneer has distinguished himself as a good speaker, writer and cartoonist. Mr. Babu Divakaran, son of T.K.Divakaran whose name is synonymous with the PWD in Kerala because of the services he had rendered to the department, is another. As Mr. Baby John was once his father's protege, he has chosen to identify himself with the former when the RSP split. Mr.K.P.Rajendran, son of former Minister, Mr.K.P. Prabhakaran, is considered as one of the up and coming leaders of the CPI and the AITUC. Mr.P.S. Supal, who inherited the legacy of the veteran CPI leader P.K.Sreenivasan and Mr.P.K.Abdurabb, son of the former Deputy Chief Minister, K. Avukaderkutty Naha, are also doing well though they are not making waves in the Assembly.

Relatives of top politicians who have made it to the big league are also around.

The Assembly elections may see most of these people in the fray. Politicians feel that there is nothing wrong in State politics becoming ``a private limited company.'' Asked one, ``If Indira Gandhi can promote her son and if some national leaders can anoint their children as Chief Ministers and Central Ministers, what is wrong if I want my son or daughter to become a panchayat member?''

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