THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A non-MLA becoming a state’s chief minister may not be as uncommon as one may think. But the chances of it happening twice, with the same person assuming the post again, would be rare.
In April 1977, when K Karunakaran stepped down as CM following the Rajan case verdict, the Congress was left scrambling for a successor. With no consensus in the legislative party and no clear choice among sitting MLAs, the high command turned to C Subramaniam. Arriving in Kerala to break the deadlock, he picked KPCC president A K Antony.
Though he had built an image within the party around 1977, at just 36 years of age, Antony was not seen as a power contender. Known for his clean politics and reluctance to seek office, he was an unusual pick at a moment that demanded political stability.
Yet, on April 27, 1977, Antony took oath as the CM, becoming the youngest in India to hold the office. The next task before the party: Finding a seat for him in six months as mandated under the Constitution. Discussions ensued and Kazhakoottam was selected. MLA Thalekunnil Basheer stepped down, making way for Antony to contest. The decision, Basheer later recalled, was his own suggestion when talks on possible constituencies stretched on.
The byelection was anything but routine. The shadow of the Emergency loomed large over the campaign. The excesses of that period, particularly the Rajan case, had stirred public sentiment. In a striking turn, Rajan’s father, T V Eachara Warrier, came to Kazhakoottam and campaigned against Antony.
The contest was politically charged and closely watched. When the votes were counted, Antony won by over 8,000 votes, securing his place in the assembly formed in turbulent times. All 14 members of K Karunakaran’s cabinet continued in office.
Nearly two decades later, a different controversy forced a similar transition. In 1995, Karunakaran stepped down in the wake of the ISRO espionage case. And once again, the party turned to Antony who was now a Rajya Sabha MP. He took oath and went on to win the bypoll from Tirurangadi, vacated by Muslim League MLA UA Beeran.
On two other occasions too non MLAs were chosen as Chief ministers - C Achuta Menon in 1969 and EK Nayanar in 1996.