Who else but Satheesan?
Several titles evaded him over the years, but Vadassery Damodaran Satheesan chose not to cave in. In the earlier years in politics, Satheesan could have landed up in the post of president of KSU and Youth Congress. However, the Paravur-based politician was not someone who would grovel to leaders eyeing coveted titles. It was after he became a member of the Oommen Chandy cabinet in 2011 that the Paravur MLA started getting noticed by the public.
Satheesan was a law-conscious legislator who presented issues in the assembly only after preparing them thoroughly. Satheesan’s politics is an enigma from the Congress standard as he loathes curry-favouring community leaders.
Meanwhile, Satheesan emulates Oommen Chandy for the sheer skill in coalescing all constituent parties. The former opposition leader did not adopt a method of focusing and criticising only Chief Minister Pinarayi. Rather, he exposed the general shortcomings of the Left government along with the reasons.
Instead of attacking the second Pinarayi government only through press conferences, Satheesan was able to give direction to the protests that took place on the ground with precise planning. The fact that he came up with various issues to criticise the government at regular intervals also paved the way to shine both inside and outside the assembly. From the Asha workers' protest to the Sabarimala gold looting case, the wave in favour of the UDF became the undercurrent of victory.
Satheesan’s power within the party was put on display for the first time when he took a stance against LDF rebel P.V. Anvar. UDF had to accept Satheesan’s demand to field a Congress candidate in the constituency rather than Anvar, which ended in Nilambur coming back to UDF's fold. It was Satheesan’s pressure that led to Congress expelling Rahul Mamkootathil, the then Palakkad MLA alleged in serious sexual assault cases.
This forthright quality gained him more enemies than friends, but it also helped him hone the leadership skill befitting a man to lead the state.
Although the experienced Ramesh Chennithala was also in the fray, the prevailing political custom that the opposition leader should become the Chief Minister of the Congress and the massive public support made the tables turn in favour of the Paravur MLA.
Meanwhile, no one should be a political novice to undermine the contributions of K.C. Venugopal. It was KC’s strong connections and impeccable organizational skill that helped the party revitalise before the big fight in Kerala. Meanwhile, it was only V.D. Satheesan who hollered with confidence that the UDF would return to Kerala with a large majority and could surpass a hundred seats. Satheesan vowed that he would go to political exile if the opposite happened. Considering all these factors, V.D. Satheesan is the one who deserves the coronation.
Muslim League has all bragging rights in the world and can even proudly interfere in the matters of UDF for the political performance they put out in 2026. Think about the UDF candidates who won in Thrikaripur, Tavanur and Eravipuram, and nobody would ever question why League cranes their neck in Congress' internal matter.
The Chief Minister is someone who should be accessible at any time and can be relied on by the common man in Kerala. Oommen Chandy was one among those in that category. People have high expectations about VD Satheesan. No one can change Kerala in a day. However, slow progress in all sections would help the wind of change reach the people. For this, not a single penny needs to be taken from the treasury. Only willpower is enough.
When Dr Manmohan Singh took over as the Union Finance Minister in the nineties, India's treasury was empty. He had to take the country's gold and silver to England and pawn it. A minister who repeatedly hollers, ‘The treasury is empty,’ is unlikely to devise innovative ways to fill the treasury. Dr Manmohan Singh showed his prowess by bringing economic revolution in India from nothing. That is why he was able to serve as the Prime Minister of India for ten years. The next finance minister of Kerala can take the lessons from the former congress great.
Practical ways should be devised to implement the promises made to the people as soon as possible. The promise of free bus travel for women is one of the most popular ones that struck a chord with the public. There is no doubt that Satheesan will have to face very strong opposition and protests from the Left Front. However, we wish that the UDF government under the leadership of V.D. Satheesan functions effectively for the next five years, giving equal importance to development and welfare, and paying equal attention to the health sector.