THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The State Assembly on Tuesday witnessed a historic verbal duel between Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan and Finance Minister K M Mani.
With Achuthanandan unleashing a scathing attack on Mani laced with Biblical quotes and sarcastic comments, Mani lost his cool and ended up terming Achuthanandan as ‘Antichrist’. “Mr Mani, there will be a time when verses in the Bible will come true. I can’t even imagine Mani reeling in the hell under never-ending fire and immortal worms for mouthing all these lies,” VS said, before staging a walkout over the bar bribery scam in the House. What’s more, VS even read out from the Gospel of Matthew for the Finanace Minister.
On Tuesday, VS was in his element. Beginning with his typical way of mocking, the Opposition Leader said though it was Mani who took money, shame is on entire Kerala. “He may not feel any shame on this; because, he was just doing what he had been doing for the past 50 years. Now that the people have come to know about it; that’s all,” he said.
In an unexpected turn, Achuthanandan moved to the Holy Bible. “Aren’t Mani, Oommen Chandy and P C George all believers of God? Aren’t they well-versed in the Bible. Let me quote from the Gospel of Matthew: ‘For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?’ Chapter 16; Verse 26.”
The legislators waited with baited breath as VS continued with his new avatar with religious sermon. Sarcasm was dripping from each words. Going ahead, VS advised Mani that if the allegations raised by bar baron Biju Ramesh are false, he should go ahead with filing defamation case and collect the compensation sought - `10 crore, so that “you can come out of the allegation. Also you could have continued without collecting bribe in future,” VS asked.
What’s more? VS even reminded Mani the story of Julius Caesar. “Don’t you remember, it was Brutus who last wounded Caesar. You should keep in mind that there are many ‘Brutuses’ around you. After killing Caesar, Brutus said it’s not that he didn’t love him, but he loved Rome more. Similarly when the time comes, they may say it’s not that they don’t like Mani; but they like UDF the more,” VS said, warning Mani of a time when he may have to lament ‘You too Brutus!’
And it was soon proved that his vitriolic humour was too much for Mani to stand.
Agitated by the remarks, Mani stood up even as CPI leader C Divakaran was speaking, and commented, “Listening to VS, I am reminded of the Antichrist.
It’s said that ‘Chekuthan vedamothunna kalam varum’ (the Devil quoting the scriptures)”. Amused at Mani’s statement, Divakaran said the Finance Minister was behaving as if he lost his mental balance.