Kerala speaker ‘pained’ by picture that went viral

“I have been asked by the doctor not to bend, not to lift weights and not to expose myself to sunlight for long durations”.

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a bid to put an end to the controversy after his driver was seen helping him wear sandals, Kerala Assembly Speaker N Sakthan today clarified it was not a deliberate act but his health condition warranted the help of another person to wear footwear with straps. For the past 18 years, I am suffering from a very rare eye ailment and I have been advised as far as possible not to bend forward. The driver was seen removing the straps in the presence of the assembly employees.

The speaker said one among 10,000 has this disease. Express photographer Manu R Mavelil had clicked the picture of Sakthan’s driver Biju fastening his sandals on the Assembly premises on Wednesday. “I am sad that a small matter like this has become a controversy, he said, adding, it might be due to lack of knowledge about the disease”.

“When I was treated for illness in the eye, it was late leader K Karunakaran, N Peethambara Kurup and Cherian Philip who were the first to enquire about it”, he recalled. “He travels with me”, said Sakthan.

“I have been a legislator for 33 years”. Mr Sakthan, 64, claimed doctors had advised him not to bend following an ailment and he “did not ask Biju” – who is also his relative – to help him with the shoes. “He used to accompany me wherever I toured in the state to take care of my personal needs”, he said. Sakthan said he was deeply hurt by the controversy. Whenever I visit temple, church and houses, I wear a sandal without a back strap so that I can remove it easily.

A minister during the LDF tenure has made his gunman remove his sandal. I was subjected for laser treatment at least ten times. “When I go outside the state, my wife accompanies me as I need a few personal assistance” he said.