M.K. Sanoo never saw continuous LDF rule as dangerous, says Pinarayi Vijayan

Professor M.K. Sanoo had never believed that continuous rule by a political front was dangerous, Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan said here on Sunday (August 2, 2026) in a veiled attack on cultural figures who had warned against the Left Democratic Front (LDF) retaining power in the State. He added that Prof. Sanoo was someone who never attempted to enhance his image by tarnishing the Left front.

He was inaugurating a commemorative meeting marking the first death anniversary of the renowned Malayalam literary critic, orator, and former MLA, organised by the Prof. M.K. Sanoo Master Samskarika Kendram.

“One may receive applause and greater public acceptance if one criticises the Left from within the fold. Sanoo Master was well aware of his position in people’s minds and knew that he did not have to resort to such fake methods to improve his public image. Those who lacked such self-awareness had to adopt other stances,” Mr. Vijayan said.

In what sounded like a veiled criticism of former Kerala Sahitya Akademi president K. Satchidanandan, Mr. Vijayan recalled how gracefully Prof. Sanoo had served in the same position during an earlier tenure of the LDF. Mr. Satchidanandan’s comments cautioning against a prolonged rule by the LDF had sparked a major political controversy ahead of the Assembly elections.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Vijayan presented the maiden ‘Sanoo Sammanam’, instituted by the Samskarika Kendram, to Malayalam literary stalwart M. Leelavathy at her home in Thrikkakara. Receiving the lifetime achievement award, which carries a cash prize of₹1 lakh, a statuette and a certificate, Ms. Leelavathy said she had mixed feelings about the honour. “I’m deeply pained to receive the award instituted in the name of a long-time colleague in his absence. At the same time, I’m glad to receive it as a blessing from him, considering the deep friendship we shared,” she said. Ms. Leelavathy announced that she would donate the cash award to Kanivu Pain and Palliative Care. The Sanoo Sammanam Yuvaprathibha Puraskaram was presented to historian Vinil Paul at the event. Writer N.S. Madhavan chaired the meeting.

CPI(M) leaders P. Rajeeve, C.N. Mohanan, S. Sharma, C.M. Dinesh Mani, S. Sathish and M. Anilkumar, writers Sunil P. Elayidom and Thanooja Bhattathiri and journalist R. Rajagopal were among those who spoke.