Thiruvananthapuram: President Pranab Mukherjee on Friday said there is no shortcut for success in politics other than total dedication to the service of the nation and the people.
"There is nothing short of dedication and sacrifice to people for success in politics. To achieve success, we have to sacrifice for the people. We have to be totally dedicated to the service of the nation," he said.
Mukherjee was addressing a public meeting organised in connection with unveiling of a life-size statue of former Kerala Chief Minister and Congress leader late K Karunakaran.
The President said the former Congress leader was a combination of a good administrator and successful politician.
"Only very few politicians have both the combination of administrative acumen and political vision. Karunakaran was such a versatile personality," Mukherjee added.
Describing Karunakaran as an "outstanding politicians in the country", he said the former Chief Minister had a very colourful legislative career and was witness to the transition from colonial period to democratic polity.
"Karunakaran`s contribution in making the state a modern one was not less and he also made his mark with his presence both in politics and legislative bodies, both as Opposition leader and Chief Minister," the President said.
Mukherjee also recalled the days he had spent with him in the Congress Working Committee under the leadership of Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, P V Narasima Rao and Sonia Gandhi.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the government would consider the demand to rename Nedumabassery International Airport in Kochi after Karunakaran as the airport built under PPP model was the brainchild of the veteran politician.
Earlier, the President unveiled the statue at Kannakakunu Palace compound in the heart of the city and paid floral tribute to the `leader`, as Karunakaran was called.
Karunakaran`s son and former KPCC Chief K Muraleedharan MLA, his daughter Padmaja Venugopal, Union Ministers Shashi Tharoor, Vayalar Ravi, Kodikunnil Suresh and KPCC President Ramesh Chennithala were among those present.
