Cracks widen within ruling UDF as Congress leaders speak out against Keralam government’s style of functioning

Signs of an imminent implosion within the United Democratic Front (UDF), more so in the lead party Congress, were apparent on Thursday when UDF convener Adoor Prakash made no bones about his displeasure over UDF chairman and Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s ‘unilateral’ style of functioning. Mr Prakash’s wasn’t an isolated expression of resentment. He was understandably echoing the sentiments of several senior Congress leaders, some of whom shared similar concerns in off-the-record conversations with The Hindu. 

Mr. Prakash’s unusual outburst conveys the impression that things have come to a head. Demand has been rife within the Congress for a reorganisation of the party in the State given that many party honchos, including the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, also hold ministerial portfolios, leaving them with no time for organisational work and little command over the government. A senior leader, also a Political Affairs Committee (PAC) member, said in exasperation that the high command has left the party in the lurch. 

“Our concerns have been shared with Deepa Dasmunsi, the AICC general secretary in-charge of Kerala. The person who must act is K.C. Venugopal, the AICC general secretary in-charge of Organisation, but he too is biding his time after losing the chief ministerial race despite having greater support among party legislators,” he said. 

The reported appointment of IUML leader M.K. Muneer as chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission, a post with Cabinet rank, has also irked some, who called it “needless” and “politically damaging.”

“The Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) had vociferously backed Mr. Satheesan’s claim for chief ministership and, it appears he’s returning the favour,” said a leader. 

With a wafer-thin majority, the Oommen Chandy government was forced to do a tightrope walk, conceding to the IUML’s controversial demand for a fifth Cabinet minister. “But the Congress is in a far better position now and there is no real compulsion to give the post of Administrative Reforms Commission chairman, with Cabinet rank, to the IUML on a platter,” said another leader. The Bharatiya Janata Party has not taken kindly to the move, with senior leaders K. Surendran and V. Muraleedharan, MLA, viewing it as the IUML prevailing over Mr. Satheesan. 

Some Congress leaders said All India Forward Bloc leader G. Devarajan, reportedly appointed the government’s special representative in Delhi with Cabinet rank, lacked the clout or bargaining power to be of any help to the State.  A Delhi-based leader would have fit the bill, said one of them. “Come to think of it, do we really need these posts any longer, if not for accommodating favourites?” he added.

A senior leader, known for his ‘virtuous‘ stances, said Mr. Satheesan would be doing a great disservice to the party if he chose to “follow in the footsteps of his predecessor” in public comportment, handling of the media, and on issues of transparency. “He has now given the weekly Cabinet briefing a miss; when questions were asked about the sponsors of his chartered flight, he could have cleared the air. The public ought to know who is footing the CM’s airfare,” he said. 

With the high command stuck in a wait-and-watch mode, more leaders are likely to go public with their criticism of the government in the coming days.