States » SouthPosted at: Oct 9 2026 9:03PM


Kerala CM says open to criticism, asserts major decisions discussed with Congress leaders

Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 9 (UNI) Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan on Friday said he was open to criticism from within the Congress, asserting that major policy decisions were taken in consultation with party leaders and that the government was functioning in line with the party's policies.
Responding to allegations by United Democratic Front (UDF) convenor Adoor Prakash that important decisions were being taken without adequate consultation, Satheesan rejected the charge that he was not discussing matters with party leaders.
“The problem is somebody is saying that I am not discussing with anybody,” he said, maintaining that policy matters were discussed with the party, while routine administrative decisions did not require similar consultations.
The Chief Minister said the Cabinet included several senior Congress leaders and representatives of different sections of the party, including Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph, two former KPCC presidents, a Congress Working Committee member, two KPCC working presidents, the Youth Congress state president and two women leaders.
He asserted that major policy decisions were taken in accordance with the party's policies and established practices, adding that the government was receiving the full support of the Congress.
The remarks come amid differences within the Congress-led UDF over the Chief Minister's style of functioning and the alleged lack of consultation with alliance partners on key decisions.
The immediate trigger was the Cabinet's September 30 decision to appoint Indian union Muslim League leader M K Muneer as chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission and Forward Bloc general secretary G Devarajan as the Kerala government's special representative in Delhi, both with Cabinet rank.
Prakash had clarified that he had no objection to the appointments themselves but expressed dissatisfaction over not being consulted in his capacity as UDF convenor. He also questioned the absence of regular meetings of the coalition, arguing that important decisions should be discussed within the alliance.
The UDF convenor subsequently submitted a written complaint to Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, raising concerns over coordination between the government and the alliance leadership. The complaint brought the differences into sharper focus, with the party's central leadership expected to address the concerns.
Satheesan also dismissed speculation about differences with Congress leader K C Venugopal, asserting that there was no discord between them. Describing their relationship as a longstanding personal and family bond, he attributed reports suggesting otherwise to media speculation.
The developments have brought renewed focus on coordination between the Chief Minister, the Congress organisation and UDF constituents, around four months after the Congress-led alliance assumed office.
UNI DS
Tags: #Kerala CM says open to criticism# asserts major decisions discussed with Congress leaders
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