Kerala voters must tell Congress politicians they 'care'

Kerala voters have just gotten a wakeup call – and it’s in the form of two simple words ‘Who cares’. If the voters use this moment right, it can bring about real change in how Kerala’s politicians talk and behave with the people they represent.

Because if politicians are going to give more of that ‘Who cares’ vibes, then they need to be taught some good lessons. Just as the Congress MLA from Palakkad and star politician Rahul Mankootathil found out in just the last 24 hours.

What Mankootathil does in his private life is his business, but when he keeps sending out suggestive messages to women he comes across, then Kerala’s people have the right to know what he is up to. And put up in his place.

By now, Kerala’s voters don’t expect much from their politicians. If someone is found to be corrupt, then voters usually shrug. Being Malayalees, they will even give snarky comments on how such politicians can’t even do corruption the ‘right way’, which is not to get caught.

Kerala’s voters will wait patiently – but gritting their teeth - for their politicians’ motorcades to pass by. They will also most likely grin and bear some of the poor decisions that politicians end up making for the ‘greater good’.

But Malayalees will draw the line when it comes to politicians putting on a bad behavior. Or giving the impression that they are too influential for anyone else to correct them.

This is exactly what Mankootathil did with that ‘who cares’ mindset – as articulated repeatedly by the actor Rini Ann George on Wednesday – and which is why Mankootathil’s star has dimmed significantly in the last few hours.

Now, Mankootathil has stepped down as the Youth Congress general secretary for Kerala over the allegations he’s facing – but doesn’t he owe the good people of Palakkad the same favour?

But given how Kerala’s elected politicians have responded to allegations of improper behaviours in the past, Mankootathil doesn’t look like he’s about to take any such step. (He has company in the Kerala Assembly, with actor and politician Mukesh still holding sway as the representative from Kollam.)

Where does all this leave VD Satheesan, the esteemed Congress chief and Leader of the Opposition in Kerala? In a very hard place, to be honest. He told the media about receiving complaints from Rini Ann – but why did he have to wait until she came out in public with the information before talking about action against Mankootathil?

And the more important question is: When did Satheesan know about the allegations? Also, it would be good if he stopped lecturing other political parties about how to handle such issues.

Where was the decisiveness long associated with Satheesan in this case? Where is the political smartness that checkmated PV Anvar in Nilambur? Or in the way Satheesan convinced the Congress high command that K. Sudhakaran had to go as president of the Congress in Kerala?

Also, it would be good if Kerala politicians stopped calling women who have been the victims of lewd/improper behaviours as being ‘mother-like’, ‘sister-like’ or ‘daughter-like’? (Even Satheesan couldn’t help make a comparison, by calling Rini Ann as being a ‘daughter’ to him.)

By the way, where is Mankootathil’s mentor and MP, Shafi Parambil? In all these hours since the Rini Ann issue broke, Parambil has been mighty quiet. But this is one Kerala politician who’s got firm views on any subject matter. It would be good if Kerala’s voters knew his stance on the Mankootathil affair. Or even do an Insta Reel to let the world know his thoughts.)

The only Congress leader who has emerged with credit in this matter is Priya Dasmunshi, the party’s observer for what happens in Kerala. She was the one, according to media reports, who set the course for Mankootathil to put in his papers as the Youth Congress chief.  

Soon, Kerala’s voters too will get a chance to decide where they stand on Mankootathil’s ‘who cares’ moment.