Thrissur: Union Minister of State Suresh Gopi paid a floral tribute to former Chief Minister and late Congress stalwart K. Karunakaran’s memorial, ‘Murali Mandiram’, here on Saturday. The Minister visited the monument with Karunakaran's daughter, Padmaja Venugopal, in the morning. After offering flowers, he spoke to the media.

He said that he always adored Karunakaran as a brave ruler, emphasising that he considered himself a 'manasputra' (political heir or spiritual son) of the late leader. Interestingly, it may be noted that Gopi defeated Karunakaran's son and Congress veteran, K. Muraleedharan, in Thrissur during the Lok Sabha elections.

He likened Karunakaran to the father of Kerala's Congress, drawing a parallel with how Indira Gandhi is considered the mother of India. 

Gopi stressed that while his political stance is clear, he believes each leader works based on what their heart desires and that it should not be politicised.