Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 19
Kerala Education Minister V. Sivankutty, 71, became unwell on Friday morning while replying to questions during the Assembly session and was admitted to a hospital.
During question hour, after the House proceedings commenced at 9 a.m., Sivankutty appeared uneasy as he was addressing the House. Though Speaker A.N. Shamseer advised him to take it easy, the minister insisted on continuing briefly.
Soon after, State Excise Minister M.B. Rajesh stepped in to handle questions related to the Education Department.
Sivankutty later left the Assembly floor and was taken to the hospital, where he is currently under observation.
Doctors attending to him have confirmed that his condition is stable.
The senior CPI(M) leader has been undergoing treatment for Parkinson’s disease in recent years.
The 14th Session of the 15th Kerala Assembly, its last session before this year’s local body polls, commenced on Monday and is scheduled to conclude on October 12.
Sivankutty, a two-time legislator and former Mayor of Thiruvananthapuram Corporation, rose through the ranks of student politics as a prominent leader of the Students’ Federation of India (SFI).
A close confidant of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, his appointment as Education Minister drew attention, given his long history of leading student agitations since the 1970s.
Sivankutty, elected from Nemom constituency in 2011, lost the seat in 2016 to BJP veteran O. Rajagopal, who became the first BJP MLA in the Kerala Assembly.
He reclaimed the seat in 2021, defeating former Mizoram Governor Kummanam Rajasekharan.
He is also remembered for the 2015 budget session ruckus, when, as an opposition MLA, he led a protest inside the House against then Finance Minister K.M. Mani.
Images of Sivankutty standing on the Assembly table with his dhoti folded and damaging equipment were widely circulated and used against him during the 2016 polls.
Despite controversies, Sivankutty remains one of the CPI(M)’s most prominent leaders in the state capital district as he is easily available to his people in the constituency and is humble in his top post. All eyes are on the veteran if he, despite his ailments, will contest from his sitting seat, as the BJP is hoping to wrest the constituency in the 2026 polls.
— IANS
Reader Comments
At 71 and battling Parkinson's, he should consider stepping back from active politics. We need younger, healthier leaders who can handle the demanding schedule. Respect for his service but health is more important.
Despite his controversial past (remember the assembly table incident!), one has to appreciate his grassroots connect. He's known to be accessible to common people in his constituency. Get well soon sir!
This highlights the immense pressure our elected representatives work under. Assembly sessions can be grueling with long hours and intense debates. Hope he recovers well and takes proper rest.
Nemom constituency has become a BJP-CPM battleground. With 2026 polls approaching and Sivankutty's health issues, it will be interesting to see if he contests again. BJP will definitely try to capitalize on this.
Parkinson's is a challenging condition to manage, especially while holding such a demanding portfolio like Education. Hope he gets the best medical care and makes a full recovery.
From student leader to Education Minister - quite a journey! His experience in student politics probably gives him unique insights into education issues. Hope he recovers soon and continues his work.
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