Discontent Grows Within Congress Over Kerala CM Satheeshans Leadership Style

Thiruvananthapuram, November 14 (Daily Kiran) : Discontent is on the rise within the Congress party and its allies in the United Democratic Front (UDF) as Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheeshan approaches the six-month mark in office on November 18. The dissatisfaction stems from his approach to governance, characterized by significant decisions being made without extensive consultation.

This unrest is particularly evident among certain factions of Congress, including the influential ‘A-group’ that thrived under the late Oommen Chandy’s leadership. During an online meeting of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) on Friday night, several former leaders from this group openly expressed their grievances, claiming they have been consistently sidelined in the new administration.

A key trigger for this dissatisfaction is the delay in the distribution of positions within boards and corporations. Leaders have voiced concerns that the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the UDF’s second-largest ally, is being prioritized over Congress. Reports indicate that despite the UDF government reaching its six-month milestone, Congress has yet to finalize its candidates for various posts, while information regarding positions is being relayed from the IUML.

Questions have also been raised about how leaders from the Communist Party of India (Marxist) continue to hold positions in various boards and corporations despite the government transition. The lack of visible changes at the grassroots level is contributing to growing frustration among party members.

Additionally, there are complaints that district leaders are not being informed about ministerial visits to their areas, further fueling discontent. This dissatisfaction is not confined to Congress alone; the Kerala Congress (Joseph) and the Revolutionary Socialist Party (RSP) have also publicly expressed their concerns, feeling that they have not been given adequate importance in the new government.

UDF coordinator and Congress MP Adoor Prakash has previously highlighted the issue of decisions being made without consulting coalition partners. These developments reveal a contradiction; Satheeshan had promised a team-oriented approach before the elections, yet complaints are surfacing that he is making unilateral decisions, with the IUML emerging as his primary ally in significant discussions.