These KSU leaders, who later wrote their own political tales, kept friendship alive

This picture is a glimpse into the tale of a friendship among Congressmen that began in the 1960s, when student and youth movements of the party were at its height in the state. Even as many among them parted ways to follow divergent political paths, no damage was ever done to their friendship or intimate relations. 

The photograph was captured in 1968 at the venue of KSU’s state conference in Kollam. Among the 17 young faces were the state’s future political leaders including two chief ministers, two union cabinet ministers, two Assembly speakers, seven ministers and several MLAs. 

While leaders AK Antony and Oommen Chandy put on the shoes of Kerala chief minister, Vayalar Ravi became a union cabinet minister. Antony also became a union cabinet minister. AC Jose, VM Sudheeran turned out to be Assembly speakers, and others namely AC Shanmughadas, N Ramakrishnan, Ramachandran Kadannappalli, K Sankaranarayana Pillai, AK Saseendran, KC Joseph and MM Hassan became ministers. 

Unfortunately, MR Prasad left the world too soon without having the chance to acquire top positions. 

Often, Oommen Chandy used to share his sorrow of not being able to work together with Shanmughadas, Kadannappalli, Ramakrishnan and Sankaranarayana Pillai. Despite beginning their political journey from one organisation, they had to split ways later.