After M M Mani’s chestthumping statements to the CPM cadre at a meeting in Idukki was made public through a video clipping in May this year that led to his eventual ouster as CPM district secretary, it is the turn of PWD Minister V K Ebrahim Kunju to make a similar gaffe.
The audacity of power was evident when Ebrahim Kunju addressed the Muslim League panchayat sangamam at Kullakalloor near Pattambi on Friday evening.
“We are ruling Kerala, it is we who are managing the affairs, it is we who execute the plans. Since we are the last word, what is anathema to us will not happen in the state,” he said.
He added for good measure that though no one would come forward and admit this fact, this was the reality. The workers of the League should understand these realities, he said.
The video clips of his speech surfaced on Saturday after they were released by local TV channel, Density, based in Cherpalassery, landing the minister in trouble.
A day later, when it became clear that his words of bravado had opened a Pandora’s box, the minister tried to play it down, saying what he meant was that the party cadre should take up more responsibility.
Ebrahim Kunju told Express: “I had spoken at a small party meeting where I said that there was a campaign by enemies that the Muslim League had great influence in the government and it was, therefore, the responsibility of the cadre to prove that we perform and live up to the expectations of the people.’’
He clarified that the channels were airing only a portion of what he had said . “If they had aired the complete text, it would be clear that I had not said anything controversial,’’ he said.
There was no need for such a fracas as decisions are discussed and taken by the UDF, he said.
However, once again the episode brings to the fore the controversies about the League holding Congress to ransom that started off with the fifth minister berth issue. Leaders of various parties, including Congress, and community outfits attacked Kunju.