Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) chief K Sudhakaran bagged the Newsmaker Award of Manorama News for the year 2021.
Sudhakaran won the award after securing the most number of votes among the candidates short-listed for the final of the Newsmaker contest.
“It was a coincidence that I was considered for the award. My thoughts, views and everything else are like an open book,” Sudhakaran told Manorama News shortly after he was declared the winner.
“Sometimes what I say might not please some people but that is how I am. I prefer to speak the truth and express it freely.
“I am humbled for this honour and thankful to Manorama and my friends and everyone who voted for me,” he said.
The other short-listed candidates were Kitex Group managing director Sabu Jacob, Kerala Minister for Education and Labour V Sivankutty and former leaders of 'Haritha' who protested against anti-women remarks in MSF.
Sudhakaran was in the limelight for fighting political opponents both within and outside his party and emerging as the KPCC president.
Sudhakaran was in the news for both the right and wrong reasons.
While Sudhakaran made the headlines for his efforts to revamp the Congress party following the drubbing it received in the assembly polls, fingers were pointed over his association with alleged conman Monson Mavunkal.
"It is not necessary that a politician be liked by everyone. Each person is different with regards to their choices and their views and from that perspective, I know that there are people who accept me and there are others who don't,” Sudhakaran said.
"However, I do take into account criticisms aimed at me and try to do a self-evaluation. It is a secret that I haven't shared anywhere before. And if I think that I need to correct my ways, I do so. I have corrected myself a couple of times, but please don't ask me which were those occasions (chuckles)," he added.
The Newsmaker Award of Manorama News for the year 2020 was presented to former Health Minister of Kerala, K K Shailaja.
Previously, edtech company founder Byju Raveendran, fishermen who came forward to help during the floods, CPI leader Kanam Rajendran, actor Mohanlal and civil servant Jacob Thomas have won the Newsmaker awards.