Minister Bindu slams Suresh Gopi over ‘Kalungu Samvadhangal’

Higher Education Minister R. Bindu on Saturday came down heavily on Thrissur MP and Union Minister Suresh Gopi, terming his ‘Kalungu Samvadhangal’ programmes as “reminiscent of feudal durbars where the poor are mocked and humiliated.”

Speaking about the recent Irinjalakuda event, the Minister said Mr. Gopi’s response to an elderly woman who raised her grievance was “against democratic norms and basic decency.”

“On one hand, he claims he is not just a Minister for this State but for the entire country. Yet he conveniently forgets that he was elected as MP from Thrissur. It was the people of Thrissur who voted him to Parliament, and it is his duty to listen to all their grievances — whether they voted for him or not. Every single citizen is his responsibility,” she said.

The Minister accused the actor-turned-politician of carrying over his cinematic arrogance into public life. “His remarks often give the impression that he lives in the illusion of a movie character, not a public representative. Just as scriptwriters once gave him roles of feudal landlords, he now behaves as though he is still playing such roles on the streets, testing people’s patience,” she said.

“Ordinary people approach him with the same respect and excitement they once showed to the film star, but Mr. Gopi responds with lines that wound rather than comfort. This repeated behaviour is deeply problematic,” she said.

Calling it a dangerous mix of political irresponsibility and cinematic delusion, the Minister urged the BJP leadership to intervene. “The party must remind him that he is no longer in front of the camera but in a responsible position where he is duty-bound to patiently listen to people’s hardships. It is the BJP’s responsibility to help him come out of this false sense of grandeur,” she said.