Keeping none in doubt about about his entry into politics, 88-year-old Metroman E. Sreedharan has said this will be his last day in a Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) uniform, a dress he wore first in 1997 when the joined the metro agency.
“I have not cited my preference for any constituency. Kochi is among the place that I know well (having supervised Kochi Metro's phase one works). The sole condition is that it should not be too far away from Ponnani (his place of residence),” he told mediapersons here on Thursday.
“I will tender my resignation as Principal Advisor of DMRC before submitting the nomination to contest the Assembly poll. I will still be available to oversee development projects, including as an MLA,” Mr. Sreedharan said, after inspecting Palarivattom flyover here, which the DMRC rebuilt in a record time of five months and 10 days and is ready for opening.
To queries on his decision to enter politics, he said he was ready for both bouquets and brickbats, being a keen reader of the Bhagawad Gita. “It is natural that some will laud the decision, while others will criticise. I am ready for both,” he said.
On whether he would go for a strenuous campaign, Mr. Sreedharan said his would not be a normal type of campaigning. “There will not be any door to door visits. Emphasis will be on digital campaigning, whose message will reach every home and every person. I will work like a technocrat and rely on a competent team like that was deployed to construct the flyover. Ultimately, more technically-qualified people must join politics, to stem the rot in the system,” he said.
Professional competence and integrity are my strong points. “As for age, it is not just physical agility alone, I am mentally very alert,” he said.
Four V's
He exhorted people to focus on four V's — Vikasanam (development), Vidyabhyasam (education), Vishudha bharanam (clean governance) and Vyavasayam (the industrial sector). Governance should be clean and benevolent and the BJP could usher in these in Kerala, he said.
Responding to a media survey which hinted at the probability of the LDF government staying in power for a second term, Mr. Sreedharan said this was unlikely and hoped that the BJP would come to power. “We have the then-less-known Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) rising to power in Delhi. It is people's perception that matters,” he added.