Friday, Mar 29, 2024 | Last Update : 09:30 PM IST

  India   VS Achuthanandan: Will continue as sentinel of people

VS Achuthanandan: Will continue as sentinel of people

Published : May 22, 2016, 1:16 am IST
Updated : May 22, 2016, 1:16 am IST

Kerala chief minister-designate Pinarayi Vijayan (centre) meets veteran CPI(M) leader V.S. Achuthanandan in Thiruvananthapuram. (Photo: PTI)

kerala.jpg
 kerala.jpg

Kerala chief minister-designate Pinarayi Vijayan (centre) meets veteran CPI(M) leader V.S. Achuthanandan in Thiruvananthapuram. (Photo: PTI)

Opposition leader V.S. Achuthanandan assigned a role for himself on Saturday, saying that he will take up the role of “the people’s sentinel” in view of the massive mandate they had given him, quite evident during his whistlestop election tour across the state.

The self-appointed sentinel role overrides the responsibility thrust on him party general secretary Sitaram Yechury on Friday, hailing him as the Fidel Castro of Kerala “who will guide, advise and inspire the party just as Fidel does in Cuba”.

In reply to questions whether he would accept a “suitable post” in the LDF, Mr Achuthanandan said, “You know me quite well that I do not get overawed by positions in government.”

There has been an air of anticipation since Friday and speculation was rife on what Mr Achuthanandan would say at the scheduled Saturday press conference after the party leadership chose politburo member Pinarayi Vijayan as the next chief minister.

Nearly two hours before the press conference, Mr Vijayan and CPI(M) state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan called on Mr Achuthanandan at his residence. Tensions eased and the three shook hands like comrades-in-arms.

Yet, curious journos thronged Cantonment House, the Opposition leader’s official residence, expecting Mr Achuthanandan hit hard at the party for fielding for the Assembly contest and then denying him the CM post.

At 11 am, the 92-year-old leader walked in cheerfully, the very opposite of his detached demeanour at the A.K.G. Centre press conference the previous day. He pulled out a written statement and started reading it. He started off thanking people for the massive mandate, attacked the Chandy government for the solar fraud, bargate, the controversial decision for land allotment to private parties, which have been revoked, and the delay in catching the killers in the Jisha murder case. Underlining the high expectations of the people, he said it was the duty of the LDF government to punish the corrupt. “People expect a fair and transparent probe on all these issues,” he said.

On the development front, he said the people want the LDF government to complete the dream projects — Kochi Metro, Kannur Airport and SmartCity — in a time-bound manner.

The much-awaited part about his future role in state politics came at the end. “I assure the people that I would be the sentinel of the people, raising problems affecting the people and holding fast to Left ideals,” he concluded.

Soon came the question: “Do you have health problems, since Yechury said your age prevented you from being considered for CM ” The reply: “There is no need to discuss these issues now.”

“People expected you to become the CM. What do you have to say to them Did you decline the post ”

“I thank the people for giving me full support as the Opposition leader. Today we need to discuss only this issue,” he said.

When asked about report that he was shifting base to his hometown Alappuzha, Mr Achuthandan replied: ``You don’t have to come all the way to Alappuzha. I will be around very much.” With more questions coming in from journalist, Achuthananan stood up and with a broad smile said thrice;good bye, good bye, good bye.” If yesterday the general secretary referred to him as Kerala’s Fidel Castro, on Saturday he assigned the role of sentinel for himself.”