KOCHI: The simple and soft-spoken T S John had kept a low profile throughout his political career, and went unnoticed by many.
Maybe that is why, at a discussion in the Assembly last week, most legislators forgot the fact that John was the second-youngest Speaker of the Kerala Assembly, and mistakenly conferred that tag to the present Speaker.
According to records, T S John was the youngest speaker of the Assembly, after C H Mohammed Koya, when he was elected on February 17, 1976.
He was only 36 years, three months and 28 days old when elected as head of the fourth Kerala Assembly. Moreover, he is the only leader from Kerala Congress to assume the post of Speaker.
“It has to be noted that he was the Speaker when the Assembly was led by many stalwarts such as E M S Nampoothirppad, C Achutha Menon and K M George. He held the position impartially though he was much junior to many of the top leaders,” said P C George MLA who shared close relation with John for long.
Though his term as Speaker ended on March 25, 1977, there were more responsibilities in store for him at that young age, in the next Assembly.
The young Kerala Congress leader was inducted as the Minister of Food and Civil Supplies in 1978, in the Ministry headed by A K Antony. Then, John had replaced Kerala Congress veteran E John Jacob. However, the Ministry, first under Antony, lasted for only ten more days as the Chief Minister resigned. In the next Ministry headed by CPI leader P K Vasudevan Nair, John returned as a Minister with the same portfolio and held that until October 7, 1979.
“It was during his term as the Food and Civil Supplies Minister that the concept of ‘Kerala Stores’ was introduced. Later, it was changed to Maveli Store by the Left Government,” said George.
After parting ways with P J Joseph who was his mentor for nearly 25 years, John became Chairman of the Kerala Congress (Secular).
“He was senior to even P J Joseph and K M Mani in the Kerala Congress. He attended the very first meeting of the party in 1964, along with Mannath Padmanabhan, in Kottayam,” recalled George. Even in his last days, John was very active in politics.
Leaders mourn T S John’s demise
Kottayam: With the demise of T S John, the state has lost a revered leader and efficient executive, said KC(M) chairman K M Mani. He added that he has lost a close friend with the death of John, who had a glorious past as Speaker and Food Minister. KC(M) MPs Jose K Mani and Joy Abraham also mourned the death of John. Poonjar MLA P C George remembered John as a leader without any taint of corruption. He said that it was John who had set up the Kerala stores which later paved the way for the Maveli stores.
Pinarayi lauds John’s contributions
T’Puram: Kerala Congress (Secular) chairman T S John, who passed away on Thursday, had made noticeable contributions as a minister and Speaker, said Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Mourning the death, the Chief Minister said John had made his mark in different fields. As a legislator he had taken up farmers’ issues, the CM said.