What is with communist leaders and expensive eyeglasses in Kerala? Ministers in Kerala government are so obsessed with wearing eyeglasses that costs more than tens of thousands of rupees that they would go to any lengths to get hold of one. Even if it means using taxpayers money to buy it.
The latest eyeglass-addict in the Pinarayi Government is R Bindhu, Minister of Higher Education and Social Justice. R Bindhu might have thought that justice is best served when the representative of the party of the poor wears what the rich wear. Or maybe she might not have quite understood the very meaning of Social Justice.
Anyway, R Bindhu requested that she wanted an eyeglass costing a whopping Rs.30,500. And just as she requested, the government allocated the amount to buy her the expensive eyeglasses from a store in Thiruvananthapuram.
Earlier, former Speaker, P Sreeramakrishnan, was criticized for spending Rs.49,900 on eyeglasses using taxpayers money. The former Health Minister, KK Shailaja had also courted controversy for using eyeglasses worth Rs.28,000.
When one can buy decent eyeglasses within a range of Rs.1000 to Rs.2000, it is appalling to see ministers purchasing expensive ones and using taxpayers’ money to foot the bill.
Political criticisms apart, I wonder what euphoria these politicians get while using expensive eyeglasses funded by you and me. Does R Bindhu really believe she can perform her duties better as a Minister just by wearing fancy eyeglasses? Or does she think it would make her look more intellect and classy.
Well, the people do not want an intellect or high class elite as Minister. We want a down-to-earth person, who is able to understand the issues of the common people and can really bring out concrete and positive changes in society.
To me, the expensive eyeglasses are a sign that the communist party has abandoned the pro-poor image it had been trying to cultivate for decades. Long gone are the ‘leader of the masses’ image and the call for justice to the poor. Communist leaders, from the top to the bottom rung, would rather want to be seen rubbing shoulders with the rich and the powerful in the society.
Personally, I do not have any issue with a political leader wearing an expensive eyeglass. However, the problem begins when that leader uses the people’s money to beautify themselves. That is a grave injustice to the people of this state, especially when the state is under financial strain.
The message of the communist government is clear: We do not care if Kerala is in dire straits or if it is going to go bankrupt, we will continue to use all the perks available to us.
As for the common people like you and me, let us pray that R Bindhu’s new eyeglasses help her see clearly the issues that we face every day.
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