Veekshanam takes a dig at CM Oommen Chandy

The editorial begins with the adage "one realises the value of vision only when one loses it". It says the vacuum left by Karunakran is being felt like never before in the current political situation.

The editorial said that during Karunakaran's time, the Congress which led the coalition could not be treated like a public drum.

It said though a devout Hindu, Karunakaran was secular to the core. He had close relationships with leaders of all communities and religions.

He never showed any discrimination towards religions either through his words or deeds.

Karunakaran enjoyed equal proximity and camaraderie with Hindu communities ranging from Nayadi to Namboothiri.

But his relationship with them was on equal terms and not of subservience, the editorial said.

In an indirect reference to the recent instances of open defiance of the government by DGP Jacob Thomas and a section of other officers, the editorial said, "Nobody dared to defy Karunakaran's orders. Even Cabinet colleagues could not breach the "lakshmana rekha".

The editorial says if Indira Gandhi was the most hounded Congress leader in the country, in Kerala it was Karunakaran who faced serious allegations in Rajan case and ISRO espionage case.