VD Satheesan's oath as Kerala CM tomorrow amid disgruntlement over cabinet posts

V D Satheesan will be sworn in as Kerala chief minister on Monday with his 20-member Cabinet. The ceremony marks the Congress-led UDF's return after a decade and turns attention to Cabinet formation and the Assembly calendar.

In Short

• VD Satheesan to take oath as Chief Minister on Monday at 10 am
• 20-member Cabinet list to be given to Governor on Sunday evening
• Congress-led UDF won 102 of 140 Assembly seats, defeating LDF

Even before VD Satheesan formally takes oath as Kerala’s next chief minister on Monday, the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) is facing signs of internal unease over cabinet formation, power-sharing and the manner in which the leadership decision was finalised.

The swearing-in ceremony at Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram will mark the UDF’s return to power after a decade, with large-scale preparations underway for the 10 am event that is expected to be attended by party workers, dignitaries and senior political leaders.

However, even before the new government takes office, negotiations over ministerial berths and criticism from influential community organisations have triggered unease within the alliance and taken some sheen off the celebrations.

NSS QUESTIONS CM SELECTION PROCESS

Nair Service Society (NSS) general secretary G Sukumaran Nair on Thursday alleged that Satheesan’s elevation reflected the Congress “surrendering” before coalition partner Indian Union Muslim League (IUML).

“It is unfortunate. If it were a democratic decision, it would not have been this,” Sukumaran Nair said.

Clarifying that he was not opposed to Satheesan personally becoming chief minister, the NSS leader questioned the delay in announcing the CM face and claimed the IUML’s stand became decisive in the process.

“The pressure exerted by the League was not right. They could have expressed their wish, but they could not have taken a stand on the issue,” he said.

The Congress took 11 days after the election results to finalise its chief ministerial pick amid discussions involving Satheesan, senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala and AICC general secretary K. C. Venugopal. Satheesan was formally named CM-designate on May 14.

VELLAPPALLY HINTS AT ‘OUTSIDE PRESSURE’

Prominent Ezhava community leader and SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappally Natesan also suggested that “outside pressure” influenced the chief ministerial decision, though he stopped short of naming anyone. “I am not going to say who exerted the pressure, but everyone knows it,” Natesan said.

While expressing hope that the new government would ensure governance based on social justice, Natesan described Venugopal as the “main architect” of the UDF’s landslide victory and acknowledged Satheesan’s role as Leader of the Opposition over the last five years.

He also expressed disappointment over Chennithala being overlooked for the top post and concerns that the senior Congress leader may stay out of the cabinet.

KAPPAN OPENLY VOICES DISCONTENT

Fresh trouble emerged within the UDF camp after Independent MLA Mani C Kappan publicly expressed dissatisfaction over a proposed rotational cabinet arrangement.

Kappan said he was offered a ministerial berth for only 2.5 years, after which Kerala Congress (Jacob) leader Anoop Jacob would replace him in the cabinet. “It was called Team UDF. Aren’t all in the team?” Kappan asked, indicating that he was unhappy with the arrangement.

The Pala MLA, a former international volleyball player, compared the situation to sports, saying players of different standards still remain part of the same team. He also claimed that both Satheesan and Chennithala had hinted during the campaign that he would receive a full-term cabinet berth if the UDF formed the government.

Kappan said he walked out of Saturday’s UDF meeting after refusing to agree to the rotational arrangement, though he maintained he did not want to create problems for the alliance.

SENIOR CONGRESS LEADERS TO ATTEND CEREMONY

Congress sources said senior party leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Mallikarjun Kharge will attend Satheesan’s swearing-in ceremony on Monday. All three Congress chief ministers are also expected to be present at the event.

Political attention is also focused on whether Vijay will attend the ceremony. Congress sources said the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister has already been invited, and confirmation regarding his participation is expected soon.

Meanwhile, AICC general secretary KC Venugopal said the final list of ministers would be handed over to Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar on Sunday evening. “A capable UDF team will take oath as ministers. The UDF will field a good team that moves forward in line with the expectations of the people of Kerala,” he said.

Since being named CM-designate, Satheesan has been holding meetings with alliance partners to finalise cabinet portfolios.

The Congress-led alliance won 102 seats in the 140-member Kerala Assembly elections, defeating the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front, which secured 35 seats. The BJP won three seats.

- Ends
With inputs from Shibimol KG