UDF convenor Adoor Prakash puts V D Satheesan government on the spot

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first signs of discontent within the UDF government have emerged even before the honeymoon period of the government, which assumed office with a strong mandate, could end. UDF convenor Adoor Prakash fired the first shot of dissent on Thursday. At a press conference, he openly said that he came to know about several decisions, including the appointment of the chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission and the government's special representative in Delhi, through media reports. He also said that he was appointed UDF convenor by the AICC leadership and would inform it in writing about his dissatisfaction today.

Following Adoor Prakash's public reaction, which came as a surprise to Congress and its constituent parties, some Congress leaders privately supported his stand. Some members of the Cabinet, however, rejected it outright. Political observers see the developments within the Congress as an attempt to provide resistance and a shield to Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan's moves. Adoor Prakash's reaction could also trigger further differences within the Congress in the coming days.

The appointment of chairpersons to some institutions under the department of Minister P.C. Vishnunath was also made without discussions within the UDF. This was followed by the appointments of M.K. Muneer and G. Devarajan. There had already been allegations that the Chief Minister was taking decisions without consultations on several issues, including PM SHRI and the appointment of government pleaders. The UDF had decided one-and-a-half months ago that appointments to boards and corporations should be discussed within the front. However, no such discussion took place. Responding to questions from the media, Adoor Prakash said he was not using the term that the Chief Minister was "hijacking" the front, but stressed that collective consultations were necessary. He also said the controversy over the physical altercation involving Chirayinkeezhu MLA Ramya Haridas was extremely unfortunate.

Ministers' travel should be transparent: Adoor Prakash

1. The Chief Minister's helicopter and air travel, as well as the travel of other ministers, should be conducted in a manner that is transparent and acceptable to the public.
2. The two people given Cabinet rank are deserving of the positions. I do not intend to reject them. But the UDF should have been informed.
3. The Chief Minister may have his engagements. But as the convenor, it is unfortunate that I have to learn about decisions through the media.
4. As UDF convenor, I am the one who should call UDF meetings, but I need the permission of the Chief Minister, who is the chairman.
5. So far, I have functioned with the basic courtesy that the convenor should act according to the directions given by the Chief Minister.

Minister K Muraleedharan rejects Adoor Prakash's stand

"All the appointments were unanimous decisions of the UDF. M.K. Muneer is a person who should be sitting with us in the Cabinet. Every Congress worker has the right to inform the AICC about their dissatisfaction. The appointments to Cabinet-rank positions were collective decisions. G. Devarajan is a leader who had remained with the LDF for a long time before joining the UDF. He was given the responsibility to make his connections in Delhi beneficial to the state."
- Minister K. Muraleedharan