Kerala Minister Saji Cherian Stops at Roadside Tea Shop for Idli and Tea
In a heartwarming moment that caught everyone by surprise, Kerala Fisheries Minister Saji Cherian pulled up on his scooter at a simple roadside eatery in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday morning. The CPI(M) leader, known for his down-to-earth style, grabbed some idlis and tea, chatting casually with locals like any regular customer.
Picture this: The small tea shop buzzed with the usual morning energy—glasses clinking, milk hissing on the stove, and walkers stopping for a quick break. Suddenly, a scooter rolls in, and the rider takes off his helmet. It’s Minister Cherian! The crowd went quiet for a second, then broke into smiles.
"Tea, please," he said with a grin, scanning the menu. The staff replied, "Idli is ready, but sambhar needs a bit more time." No fuss—Cherian just nodded and said, "I’ll wait." He sat down, blending right in as the sambhar cooked.
Soon, locals, passersby, and even a few journalists gathered around. They couldn’t believe a big-shot minister was hanging out like this. One person remarked how refreshing it was to see someone in power acting so normal. Cherian smiled and replied, "Power is temporary. I’m happiest living like an ordinary citizen."
This isn’t new for Cherian. In his Chengannur constituency, people say their MLA stays approachable—phone always on, door open, no fancy barriers. "For my people, there are no walls," he added.
At 60, Cherian’s journey in Kerala politics is a classic tale. He started with student activism, climbed the CPI(M) ranks, won a 2018 by-election to enter the Assembly, and held on in 2021. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan brought him into the Cabinet. But in 2022, controversial remarks about the Constitution sparked outrage, leading to his resignation. The Kerala High Court cleared him later, and he returned as minister in January 2023. Through it all, his straightforward, no-nonsense vibe hasn’t changed.
As he waited for his breakfast, Cherian patted his trusty scooter fondly. "This scooter’s special," he shared. "After I resigned, I rode it home. I still use it around my area—it keeps me grounded and close to the people." Once the idlis with steaming sambhar were ready, he packed them up, hopped on, waved goodbye to the cheering crowd, and zoomed off to his official residence just a kilometer away.
Stories like this show why leaders like Saji Cherian connect so well with Kerala’s voters, especially with local body polls coming up this year and Assembly elections in 2026. It’s all about staying real in the world of politics.
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