Satheesan says decisions taken in consultation with Congress leaders amid UDF rift
Keralam Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Friday defended his style of functioning, saying he takes decisions in consultation with senior Congress leaders, amid criticism from UDF convenor Adoor Prakash over the alleged lack of coordination within the ruling coalition.
In his first public response to the controversy, Satheesan said his Cabinet included leaders representing a broad cross-section of the Congress organisation, including Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Sunny Joseph, two former KPCC presidents, a Congress Working Committee member, two PCC working presidents, the Youth Congress state president and two women leaders.
Responding to criticism that he was not consulting party leaders, Satheesan said policy decisions were taken in consultation with the party, while routine administrative matters did not require the same level of political discussion.
"For policy matters, I will discuss with party. For administrative matters there is no need to discuss with the party, right? Day today affairs there is no need to discuss with the party. For policy matter, the party will lead us. Party's policies we are implementing," he told PTI Videos in an exclusive interview.
Satheesan also said he was open to criticism from within the Congress, including from younger leaders.
"The Congress is a different party. It is not like the BJP. I am the chief minister of the state, and anyone in the party can disagree with me. They can even criticise me, including youngsters who are coming up in the party. I am not above criticism," he said.
He added that he would listen to criticism and try to convince those he believed were mistaken.
The remarks come amid a growing internal rift in the Congress-led UDF government, barely four months into its tenure. Prakash has questioned Satheesan's functioning, alleging that key decisions were being taken without consultation and that coalition meetings had not been held for some time.
Prakash had recently complained to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge over the issue, including the allocation of two Cabinet-rank posts to coalition partners Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) and the Forward Bloc without informing him, according to the allegations.
At a recent press conference at the KPCC headquarters, Prakash said the UDF had not met for some time and argued that Satheesan, as the front's chairman, should take the initiative to convene meetings.
Prakash said he had been unable to call another UDF meeting because the chief minister had not communicated with him about it.
The dispute has also raised questions about coordination between the chief minister, the Congress organisation and its coalition partners as the UDF prepares for the political challenges ahead.
