<p>Thrissur (Kerala): Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Saturday expressed his willingness to construct a life-size statue of erstwhile king Shakthan Thampuran, regarded as the architect of Thrissur city, and is waiting for the nod of the city civic authorities here.</p>.<p>The iconic statue of the ruler, situated at Sakthan Nagar in the city, had collapsed after a KSRTC bus rammed into it in June this year.</p>.<p>Gopi said there is no provision in the MP fund to spend money for the construction of the statue, but he is ready to bear the expenses as a tribute to Thrissur.</p>.<p>The actor-turned-politician won from the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency in the general election held this year.</p>.Despite serious concerns flagged by SEAC, Kerala goes ahead with Wayanad tunnel project.<p>Addressing reporters here, the Union Minister said he had called Corporation Mayor M K Varghese soon after the collapse of the statue and conveyed his willingness to construct a new one.</p>.<p>"I have said I am ready to construct a life-size bronze statue of Shakthan Thampuran....Let them (Corporation) convey their decision," Suresh Gopi said.</p>.<p>He also said it would take at least six months for the completion of the life-size statue.</p>.<p>Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of Cochin (1790-1805), had designed the iconic temple festival of the state "Thrissur Pooram" as a celebration to unite the people of the land.</p>
<p>Thrissur (Kerala): Union Minister Suresh Gopi on Saturday expressed his willingness to construct a life-size statue of erstwhile king Shakthan Thampuran, regarded as the architect of Thrissur city, and is waiting for the nod of the city civic authorities here.</p>.<p>The iconic statue of the ruler, situated at Sakthan Nagar in the city, had collapsed after a KSRTC bus rammed into it in June this year.</p>.<p>Gopi said there is no provision in the MP fund to spend money for the construction of the statue, but he is ready to bear the expenses as a tribute to Thrissur.</p>.<p>The actor-turned-politician won from the Thrissur Lok Sabha constituency in the general election held this year.</p>.Despite serious concerns flagged by SEAC, Kerala goes ahead with Wayanad tunnel project.<p>Addressing reporters here, the Union Minister said he had called Corporation Mayor M K Varghese soon after the collapse of the statue and conveyed his willingness to construct a new one.</p>.<p>"I have said I am ready to construct a life-size bronze statue of Shakthan Thampuran....Let them (Corporation) convey their decision," Suresh Gopi said.</p>.<p>He also said it would take at least six months for the completion of the life-size statue.</p>.<p>Sakthan Thampuran, the Maharaja of Cochin (1790-1805), had designed the iconic temple festival of the state "Thrissur Pooram" as a celebration to unite the people of the land.</p>