Kannur: BJP leader and newly appointed Union minister Suresh Gopi on Wednesday visited the family of CPI(M) veteran and former Kerala Chief Minister late EK Nayanar.
Returning to Kerala for the first time since taking over as Tourism and Petroleum Minister, Gopi visited various temples in the northern district and offered prayers.
Later, Gopi visited Mr. Nayanar’s residence in Kaliassery here and was warmly welcomed by the late veteran’s wife, Dr. Sarada and other family members. Gopi hugged Mr. Nayanar, exchanged greetings and presented him with sweets.
Sarada, fondly known as Sarada Sensei, presented her late husband with a copy of the book she wrote about him, and the two also posed for photographs at the request of reporters.
Saradha later told the media that there was no political intent behind the Union Minister’s visit.
She said she had a close relationship with Gopi and his family for many years and that Gopi had visited the house several times before.
Gopi had on many occasions recalled his close association with Nayanar, one of the most popular leaders of the Marxist party.
Later in the day, the Union Minister visited noted author T Padmanabhan’s residence in the district.
He sought the 90-year-old leader’s blessing and engaged in some discussion with him. The writer gifted him a book.
Padmanabhan later told reporters that Gopi clearly knows he is not a BJP supporter but they have maintained a good relationship over the years.
“Relationships go beyond politics. Suresh Gopi is competent and has integrity,” I said, adding that tourism and oil are both good portfolios and he would be able to contribute significantly to the state’s development.
Gopi won the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat, opening up the BJP’s base in Kerala.
Thrissur was the scene of a fierce three-way battle in the Indian Lok Sabha elections, with major candidates from the Indian National Congress, the Bharatiya Janata Party and the Communist Party of India locked in a fierce battle.
Gopi won in the Thrissur constituency against UDF candidate and Congress leader K. Muralidharan and Left leader and former Kerala minister Sunil Kumar of the CPI.
Published June 12, 2024 11:42 IST
