ALAPPUZHA: Long before he became Kerala’s chief minister, V D Satheesan tasted his very first electoral defeat in student politics, at the hands of an Alappuzha native whose friendship he continues to cherish more than four decades later.
The story dates back to March 1, 1985, when the first-ever union election of Mahatma Gandhi University were held. Satheesan, a degree student at Sacred Heart College, Thevara, contested for the post of the union chairman representing the KSU.
Standing against him was Antony M John, a resident of Mangalath in Alappuzha’s Kaithavan and a postgraduate student of St Berchmans College, Changanassery. Antony was the joint candidate backed by the KSC and SFI.
“A total of 115 councillors from 58 affiliated colleges cast their votes. Senior student leaders of the time actively campaigned for us. Leaders such as Joseph Vazhakkan, C K Jeevan and Ajay Tharayil canvassed votes for Satheesan, while the then KSC president Dijo Kappan and SFI leader V Sivankutty spearheaded my campaign,” recalled Antony.
When the votes were counted, Antony won by nine votes, securing 62 votes against Satheesan’s 53, and becoming the first chairman of the MG University Union. Interestingly, Satheesan became the Leader of Opposition in the university’s general council.
In the 41 years since, their political rivalry evolved into a lifelong friendship. Even today, whenever both men share a stage, Satheesan often introduces Antony with a smile as “the man who defeated me for the first time in an election.
The warmth was visible once again recently when the two met in Pala during the funeral of former student leader Dijo Kappan.
For Antony, the victory remains a cherished moment. “After he was declared the CM, I called him up and wished him,” Antony said.