A day after being appointed to lead an ad hoc committee of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA, Ramesh Pisharody, a Palakkad Congress MLA, brought his trademark wit and humor to the Kerala Assembly during his first speech. Pisharody’s address in the Budget debate not only entertained the House but also contained sharp political criticisms. He began by expressing gratitude to the people of Palakkad for electing him and then proceeded to criticize the Left for its loss in the constituency, emphasizing that voters there couldn’t be swayed by money.
The actor-turned-politician highlighted the importance of not underestimating farmers and ordinary citizens, stating that they couldn’t be influenced by monetary incentives, power, or publicity campaigns. He questioned the Left’s dominance in politics, labeling it as arrogance and an unwillingness to acknowledge others. Pisharody recounted facing social media backlash for embracing his opponent at a public event, attributing such reactions to political narrow-mindedness.
Pisharody justified his allegiance to the Congress by citing India’s advancements post-Independence, such as the Green Revolution and IT sector growth. He defended the party’s historical governance by emphasizing the foundational work accomplished during its rule. Additionally, he commended the Budget’s allocation of Rs 1 crore for a memorial honoring actor Salim Kumar, his mentor, cautioning that a memorial should serve a practical public purpose beyond being a mere statue.
Concluding his speech on a light note, Pisharody humorously remarked about not hyping the Budget’s global fame, subtly poking fun at the Left’s decade-long adulation of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. In his political debut, Pisharody demonstrated a seamless transition from the entertainment industry to politics, blending humor, timing, and incisive critique.
