Alappuzha: P. Thilothaman is cool, approachable and dependable. Even during his morning walk, the CPI leader wears neither a cap nor muffler but wraps a chequered lungi around his waistline. And he can call his supporters by name even in the faintest light.
People of Cherthala have no surprise over his choice for a cabinet berth. They were expecting it ever since he stitched a hat-trick win from the constituency though by a lower margin. Resided mostly by coir workers and small-time entrepreneurs, Cherthala had sent big leaders like Vayalar Ravi and A.K. Antony, but they got little in return.
They hope Mr Thilothaman will deliver, unlike others, and their hopes are soaring high. The 58-year-old had defeated K.R. Gowri in 2011 by the biggest margin in the district. He was CPI district secretary when his party fielded him and he has since relinquished the party post.
As far as CPI is concerned, he is one of the senior leaders and the face of the party in Alappuzha with a clean image in the tradition of the late C.K. Chandrappan.
Born to Parameswaran and Gowri in Cherthala, he took baby steps in politics through All India Students Federation (AISF) and became an official member of CPI in 1977. He started his parliamentary politics as president of Cherthala South panchayat. People of Cherthala take his elevation into the cabinet as recognition for them.
