K.M. Mani | File PhotoThiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Assembly on Wednesday paid glowing tributes to veteran politician K.M. Mani - referred to as Mani Sir - as he completed 50 years as a legislator.
Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan said Mani, who has been elected 13 times on the trot from Pala constituency in Kottayam, had written himself into world parliamentary records.
"His biggest hallmark is that all through his five decades as a legislator, he has always dealt criticism with humor," Sreeramakrishnan said.
Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan pointed out that technically Mani would have completed 50 years as a legislator two years ago.
Even though Mani won his first election in 1965 from Pala, at that time the Kerala Assembly failed to be convened as no party got the majority to form a government.
"I really doubt if this record can ever be broken by anyone in India. The highlight is Mani has won every election from Pala and he won while being a member of the traditional rival fronts," Pinarayi said.
"He is a shining example for all legislators and one of his hallmarks is his attendance record in the assembly," the CM added.
The only other person who was a member of the 1970 assembly and who is still a member is former chief minister V.S. Achuthanandan, but he was not present in the house on Wednesday.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala termed Mani "as a rare phenomenon in the history of democracy".
"Mani Sir always did his homework, be it before a speech in the assembly or while addressing a press conference."
Revenue minister and CPI leader E. Chandrasekheran said there were many in the assembly now who were not even born when Mani became a legislator on this day 50 years ago.
Former CM Oommen Chandy described Mani as a phenomenon.
Mani's long-time foe P.C. George also saluted the veteran. "Mani Sir and I never had the best of relations... Nevertheless his achievement is historic."
Reacting to the glowing praises, Mani said he felt deeply honored.
"Now I realize that some people who I thought are my enemies are not enemies but friends," Mani said in his trademark style.
"I never considered P.C. George as my enemy. Always regarded him as a younger brother," Mani said.
Saluting the voters of Pala, he said: "With folded hands, I bow before all of you for honoring me like this."
50 years of Mani in Kerala politics
Beginning his career in the Congress, Mani later formed his Kerala Congress (Mani) which has been a part of both the CPM-led Left grouping and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF).
Last year, he severed ties with the UDF and he with five other legislators now sits as an independent block in the assembly.
Among the records that will stay with Mani for a while include holding the finance portfolio for the longest period and presenting 13 state budgets.
The only blip in his 50 years in the assembly came in 2015 when he was forced to resign as finance minister following an adverse court remark in what came to be known as the bar scam case.
