M M Mani sworn in as minister

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM strongman from Idukki Mundakkal Madhavan Mani was sworn in as minister in Pinarayi Vijayan Cabinet at the Rajbhavan here on Tuesday. The brief swearing in ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Pin-aryi Vijayan, his Cabinet colleagues, majority of MLAs, leaders of political parties and several people from Idukki district, especially from the minister’s village Kunjithanni. He made solemn affirmation in Malayalam. After taking oath, he looked tense while signing the oaths. Governor Sathasivam sensed it and asked him to feel comfortable.

With Mr M.M. Mani being the lone minister to be sworn in, all eyes were on him since 4 pm when people started arriving at pandal set up in Raj Bhavan. Mr Pinarayi, his Cabinet colleagues, MLAs and prominent people congratulated Mani before the ceremony. The Governor and Chief Minister presented Mr Mani bouquets. Later, ministers, MLAs, people from different walks of life lined up to greet him on the stage. Mr Mani received bouquets, gave a warm handshake to everyone and even hugged some.  

Once the greetings got over, IG Thiruvananthpauram range Manoj Abraham requested family members of the new minister to come on the stage. Later they joined Mr Mani for a photo session. Wife Lakshmykutty, children Sathi who is president Rajakkad panchayat president, Shyamala, Suma who is Rajakumari panchayat member, Geetha and Ani were among the family members who were present at the ceremony.

Opposition Leader Ramesh Chennithala and former chief minister Oommen Chnady stayed away from the swearing in ceremony. Administrative Reforms Commission chairman V.S. Achuthanandan didn’t attend owing to health reasons and E.P. Jayarajan who was out of station. Unlike swearing in ceremonies in the past when slogan shouting reverberated in Rajbhavan compound, Mr Mani’s supporters from Idukki district were a silent lot.

From Rajbhavan the minister went to the Secretariat to take charge in his new office at the South Block. Mr Mani will be holding power portfolio which was earlier handled by Kadakampally Surendran who is expected to get Cooperation and Tourism. He will, however, retain Devaswom. Cooperation and tourism minister A.C. Moideen gets industry, sports which were held by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan following E.P. Jayarajan’s resignation due to allegations of nepotism. CPM state committee had recommended Mani's name for Cabinet in place of Jayarajan. Mr Mani was elected to Assembly for the first time from Udambanchola constituency.

From Kunjithanni, a pictursqe remote village located on the banks of  river Muthirappuzha to seat of power in Secretariat, CPM strongman M M Mani’s journey has been full of ups and downs. Mr Mani was born in a poor farmers family in Kidangoor of Kottayam district to Mundakal Madhavan and Janaky in 1944. In the fifties Mani along with his parents settled in Kunjithanni. He took part in agitations quite early on in childhood, became a member of the CPM in 1966. He was elected Idukki district secretary in 1988 and was the longest serving district secretary.

Once a close confidante of V S Achuthanandan, Mr Mani crossed over to Pinarayi Vijayan camp in 2007 following the anti encroachment drive in Munnar. He has had his share of controversies. At a time when T.P. Chandrashekhran's murder controversy was raging, Mr Mani made a highly controversial revelation that the party had prepared a list of political opponents and eliminated them one by one. Mr Mani had contested Assembly elections for the first time in 1996 but lost to Congress leader E M Augusthy. He was also unsuccessful in first district panchayat elections that he contested. After a decade long gap form electoral politics, Mani contested the last Assembly polls and won from Udambanchola constituency.