"Every nation gets the government it deserves."
The craze for football in Kerala is well known in sports circles. Hoardings, flags and cut-outs lending support to almost all major teams competing in FIFA World Cup 2018 have come up across the state over the past few weeks. One such display had even grabbed the attention of the Portuguese national football team’s social media account.
Even the administrators of the football-frenzy state seem excited about the grand tournament which kick-started in Russia. Several members of Kerala's left cabinet including Sports Minister AC Moideen extended solidarity to their favourite sides via social media. While some of them changed their profile pictures using special frames declaring allegiance to various teams, there were others who were seen jotting status updates extending their wishes to all competitors.
Brazil has the most number of followers among Kerala politicians while Argentina and Germany too enjoy some support. Here are some of the social media responses by Kerala Ministers and MLAs with regard to the FIFA World Cup 2018.
AC Moideen, Sports Minister
The Sports Minister on Thursday posted a photo on Facebook sharing his excitement about the tournament. Appreciating all the 32 participants for their quality-football, the legislator from Kunnamkulam constituency wished all success to his favourite side Germany, who are the defending champions of the World Cup.
Praising Germany's coordination on the field as a team, he expressed faith in the Die Mannschaft's ability to lift the cup again.
Dr TM Thomas Issac: Finance Minister
One of the most popular Ministers of the state, Dr Issac updated his profile picture with a frame in support of Argentina, that has the iconic Lionel Messi in it along with the famous "Vamos Argentina" tagline.
The Alappuzha legislator hails Argentina for it's decision to cancel a friendly with Israel in the wake of the latter's attack on citizens of Gaza, which, Issac claims, make it a strong political position which need to be supported no matter they win or lose at the tournament.
MM Mani: Electricity Minister
The outspoken Minister is well-known for his Facebook puns and trolls ridiculing members of the opposition parties. "Aasan," as fondly called by his supporters, has declared that he is a hardcore fan of Argentina.
The 73-year-old Minister first posted a photo of himself in the blue and white striped jersey of the South Americans, calling them his "heartbeat." Later, he posted a video wishing luck to captain Lionel Messi and his men, who carry the legacy of Marxist revolutionary icon Ernesto Che Guevera. The photo has got over 31,000 likes and 6,000 shares so far.
Kadakampally Surendran: Tourism, Co-operation Minister
In a direct response to MM Mani, Kadakampally Surendran updated his profile picture with a frame supporting Argentina's South American arch-rivals Brazil. Calling the "Canaries" the very inspiration to watch the game, he reminded his senior comrade that it is not any heartbeat but determination is what really matters.
KT Jaleel: Local Self Governments, Minority Welfare Minister
Another Brazil fan in the Kerala Cabinet is the legislator from Thavanur Dr KT Jaleel. Hailing from the football-mad Malabar zone, Jaleel says he holds nothing against the Argentines. Brazil, with the history of having played all the World Cups so far in history and with the most number of triumphs, is simply the best, he says. Dr Jaleel's profile frame has superstar Neymar's picture along with the logo of Brazil football team.
KK Shailaja, Health Minister
Fresh from "defending" the state from Nipah outbreak, the Health Minister too joined the party, although without picking any sides. The Minister on Thursday posted a photo on her official Facebook page where she is seen playing football with boots and tracksuits. "Me too with the football lovers," she wrote with the hashtag #FIFA_World_Cup.
Pinarayi Vijayan, Chief Minister of Kerala
Last but not the least, Kerala's Chief Minister also extended his love for the game through a photo that was uploaded in his official Facebook page. The current cover photo of the page has the leftist strongman playing football with his grandchild, along with a small write-up on the game. Calling it a sport that unites people beyond borders like a string of pearls, he announced camaraderie with all football lovers of the world.
M Swaraj, Thripunithura MLA
Swaraj, the former national level leader of the CPIM's youth wing has one of the most romanticised description for his love for Argentina. Posted in 2016, the young MLA compares Argentina to the bitter-sweet beauty of lost wars and failed love. We are a people strengthened by failures, he claims.