Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Wednesday referred to former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi as the "mother of India" and praised the late Congress Chief Minister K Karunakaran as a "courageous administrator."
He also acknowledged Karunakaran and Marxist veteran E K Nayanar as his "political gurus."
Speaking to reporters after visiting Karunakaran's memorial, "Murali Mandiram," in Punkunnam, Gopi urged the media not to interpret his visit politically, emphasizing that he came to pay his respects to his "guru."
Suresh Gopi won the Thrissur Lok Sabha seat by defeating Karunakaran's son, Congress leader K Muraleedharan, who finished third in a closely contested election on April 26.
Suresh Gopi, who visited Nayanar's home in Kannur on June 12 to reconnect with his family, highlighted his close relationships with both Nayanar and Karunakaran and their families. He described Indira Gandhi as "bharathathinte mathavu" (mother of India) and Karunakaran as the "father of the Congress party in the state," clarifying that this was not meant to disrespect the founders of the Congress in Kerala.
The actor-turned-politician also praised Karunakaran's administrative capabilities, calling him a "courageous administrator" of his generation. He revealed that he had wanted to visit Murali Mandiram in 2019, but Karunakaran's daughter, Padmaja Venugopal, who recently joined the BJP, had discouraged him for political reasons.
Later, Suresh Gopi visited the famous Lourde Mata Church in Thrissur and offered prayers. He addressed past criticism from political opponents regarding the golden crown his family presented to the idol of St. Mary during his daughter's marriage, affirming it was indeed made of gold, not copper.
Gopi's victory in Thrissur marked a significant achievement for the BJP in Kerala, opening the party's account in the state. The Lok Sabha election in Thrissur was a fiercely contested three-way battle between candidates from the Congress, BJP, and CPI.