The demise of political titan of Kerala and Kerala Congress (M) chairman K M Mani has marked the end to an eventful era in democratic Kerala.
When Karingozhkkal Mani Mani aka K M Mani, who made unbreakable records as a minister and MLA, bid adieu to the world, Kerala lost a leader who made an indelible signature of his own in practical politics.

Despite a life ridden with crisis and controversies, Mani grew like one of the branching big trees of Kerala politics through his legendary public activities. He played a major role in making his comparatively small party called Kerala Congress acceptable to Kerala’s Front politics.
When Mani had step down as minister following bar bribery controversy and left UDF, several people tried to hold him and his party close to them. This is an open secret.

He walked back to the same Front not simply but after securing a Rajya Sabha seat to his son Jose K Mani. This small example is itself enough to demonstrate the shrewd politician in Mani.

Mani carved a niche for himself in Kerala politics when it was dominated by political bigwigs and he grew to become an institution.
Despite his party’s low representation in Assembly, he became an unneglectable leader. When his own party split, he wittingly remarked that Kerala Congress is a party that will split as it grows and grows as it splits. This later became a proverb in Kerala Congress politics. However many times the party splits, Mani was the most charismatic leader in that institution.
Always, his voice could be heard loudly, whether he was in the ruling side or opposition side.
Mani, the inevitable leader of high range farmers, used the weapons of practical politics to keep the politics of middle Kerala under his control.
Mani started his career as a lawyer. Soon he became active in Congress. K M George and his coterie of party workers left the party to form Kerala Congress. Soon Mani also joined it.
Mani has had the unique achievement of being part of the State Legislative Assembly for over 50 years.

Mani had to resign as Finance Minister in 2015 after a whistleblower bar owner alleged that Mani had taken crores of rupees from him to get closed bars in the State reopened.

Mani is credited with the record of presenting the State Budget 13 times as Finance Minister. The 13th budget was presented amidst pandemonium in Assembly. He has been representing the Pala Assembly constituency since its inception in 1964, which is another 54-year record.
He held the distinction of being the longest serving minister in the Kerala government.

Besides Finance, he had held various portfolios such as of Revenue, Law, Irrigation, and Home in both LDF and UDF governments as he changed sides once.

As a minister, Mani had contributed a lot to Kerala. Mani had come up with many farmer-friendly projects.
Karunya lottery to help poor patients in his contribution will be remembered always by people.
Mani introduced a working class ideology in front of Communist ideology as his own ideology. He was able to make it a big topic of discussion. He was able to present it in front of global audience, as well.
Pala was K M Mani’s heart. Only with emotion he has talked about this constituency. During all crisis, Pala natives stood by Mani and called him Mani Sir lovingly.

Mani’s happy married life with his wife Kuttiyamma spanned six decades and she always remained his shadow.

Mani rose above narrow mindedness of alliance politics, gained an in-depth knowledge of Kerala life and earned the respect and love of all sections of people. With all this, he was always duty-conscious and engaged in his activities.
Undeterred by crisis in life, he held his head high and stood with a smiling face.

For Kerala Kamudi, we have lost a bosom friend. We also share the sorrow of his family members, colleagues and aides at this hours of mourning.