Kottayam (Keralam), Sep 19 (PTI) In a rare display of political courtesy, Poojar MLA Sebastian M J of the Congress stepped aside and invited his predecessor, Sebastian Kulathunkal, to inaugurate a bridge project sanctioned during the latter’s tenure.
The Erumely-Amakunnu bridge here was sanctioned when Kulathunkal, a Kerala Congress (M) leader, represented Poojar, with Rs 80 lakh allocated from his MLA asset fund for its construction.
Kulathunkal, who was part of the LDF, was defeated by Congress’ Sebastian M J in the recent Assembly election.
Kulathunkal served as Poojar MLA from 2021 to 2026.
As preparations were under way for the inauguration of the bridge, the sitting MLA suggested that Kulathunkal should inaugurate it, a local body representative said.
Following the sitting MLA’s suggestion, the former MLA was invited to the function.
Speaking at the inauguration on Friday, Sebastian M J said the bridge marked the fulfilment of a long-standing dream of the people of the region and was his first public function in the area after becoming MLA.
“However, as a public function, the full credit and responsibility for this goes to the former MLA. Because if he hadn’t allocated such a fund, an inauguration like this wouldn’t be happening,” Sebastian said.
“Since the complete credit for this belongs to him, I would like to say that in word and spirit, it is he who has inaugurated it,” he said.
Sebastian said he had suggested inviting Kulathunkal to inaugurate the bridge and added that the panchayat president, block panchayat president or those who held office when the project was sanctioned could also have jointly inaugurated it.
“That is not something that disrespects or insults me. That is pure misconception; such a notion has never crossed my mind. If he provided a fund, we must respect him. That is what politics is about—politics is the development of society,” he said.
“He did his duty well. After that, I must do my duty gracefully,” Sebastian said.
He said people would eventually learn the truth about development projects, regardless of how such projects were conducted.
Kulathunkal later formally inaugurated the bridge.
In another unusual gesture, Sebastian’s name was not engraved on the foundation stone.
The sitting MLA and his predecessor also jointly cut the ribbon at the inauguration ceremony. PTI TBA SSK
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