Erasing the political divide: Kerala's maiden BJP MP's bonding with a Communist leader

Gopi, who returned to Kerala for the first time after becoming MoS for Tourism and Petroleum, visited various temples in this northern district and offered prayers.

Thiruvananthapuram: Though it may sound strange to some that BJP's maiden Lok Sabha MP from Kerala Suresh Gopi is calling on the family of a former Communist chief minister of Kerala, it wasn't all that strange for the Communist leader's family. Gopi was a frequent visitor at their home.

He visited the family during his first visit to the state after being sworn in as a minister in the Narendra Modi's government

Gopi has high admiration for E K Nayanar, one of the popular Communist leaders and three time chief minister of Kerala. Even after Nayanar's death Gopi continues to maintain a strong bond with Nayanar's family, especially his wife Sarada Teacher, whom Gopi fondly calls as 'amma' (mother).

On Wednesday Gopi visited the family at Kannur and had lunch with Sarada teacher. "I frequently visit here. But now only it is getting media attention," Gopi told reporters.

Sarada Teacher said that it was a personal bonding and no politics was involved. "Gopi is a good human being who always finds pleasure in helping people," she said.

On several occasions Gopi, who was a CPM supporter earlier, openly expressed high regards for Nayanar.

Nayanar had a strong bonding with the people and enjoyed mass support. Even while serving as BJP's Rajya Sabha MP in 2020, Gopi took to social media and made a post stating his admiration for Nayanar.

Incidentally, Gopi, who is also a popular actor, played the role of an IPS officer turned Communist Chief Minister in Malayalam film Janathipathyam (Democracy) in 1997 and the name of the character was Ramadevan Nayanar alias R D Nayanar. 

The film's director K Madhu recollects that Nayanar who was then serving as chief had also watched the film and had high admiration.  "I now feel more delighted that Gopi who played the role of a chief minister in my film has now become a union minister in real life," Madhu told Deccan Herald. 

Gopi also visited various temples, notable personalities and memorial of BJP leader K G Marar. He will be given a reception at his constituency Thrissur on Thursday.