23 December 2010: K Karunakaran is dead. The end of an era in Kerala politics. There will not be another politician as much hated and as much loved like Karunakaran or "LEADER" to his admirers. I was visiting a family near to Thrissur during the cremation. The old couple in the house was sitting in their easy chairs, their eyes glued to the tv screen. The man knew Karuna as a young homeless trade union organizer in Sitaram Mills. He told me "This is a man who has earned the curse of many families: the poor family of the manager in Thattil estate, the parents of Rajan and many others..." Yet, this was also the man for whom many people would die for. Why not? He deemed that he was the king and he used to distribute jobs and riches to those who pleased him. I have heard the story of many of his servants becoming millionaires. I even know one who paid a sum of Rs 6,500 for becoming a constable.
I always used to say, if you have not done anything wrong, why you should be afraid of the Gods? Well, Leader wouldn't miss his monthly trip to Guruvayoor at any cost - even at the cost of some lives on the way side. Was it obeisance or fear?
There is no more Karunakaran to hate. What will unite the different groups in Congress in Kerala? Whom will Achuthanatan hound? What will happen to the poor son? A lot of questions without answers. Let us see what the new year brings...
However, any note on Leader cannot end without remembering Eachara Warrier and his battle to to know the truth behind the disappearance of his son. It is a strange coincidence that both Eachara Warrier and Leader were cremated in Thrissur....
(Read the story of a father searching for the remains of his only son against the full state machinery and how callous our politicians are (whatever colour their flag is...)....(http://www.ahrchk.net/pub/mainfile.php/mof/)
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