Delay in Board, Corporation appointments triggers discontent in UDF

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Discussions on sharing positions in boards and corporations under the UDF government are likely to begin by the end of this week, amid growing dissatisfaction among coalition partners, including the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), over the delay in completing the process. The Congress leadership has attributed the delay to the busy schedules of the Chief Minister and the KPCC president. It has also pointed out that the change in administration of the boards and corporations took place only six months after the LDF government came to power.

Communication within the Congress is expected to begin after Wednesday's Cabinet meeting. Minister Ramesh Chennithala, who is currently in the United States on a private visit, will return on September 17. He is scheduled to visit the Guruvayur temple that morning before reaching the state capital in the evening.

Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, KPCC president and Minister Sunny Joseph, Ministers Ramesh Chennithala and K. Muraleedharan, and UDF convener Adoor Prakash are expected to prepare the framework for discussions with the coalition partners. The opinion of AICC general secretary K.C. Venugopal will also be sought.

At a meeting of KPCC office-bearers, Satheesan had made it clear that the Congress would retain a larger share of boards and corporations than it had during the previous UDF government.

IUML expresses dissatisfaction

There are differences of opinion within the Congress over handing positions, including that of the chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission, to coalition partners.

The IUML, which is seeking a position in the Administrative Reforms Commission, is dissatisfied with the situation. There is also resentment among League workers over several institutions in Malappuram and Kozhikode districts continuing to be governed by the LDF. Coalition partners that have no representation in the Cabinet or the Assembly are particularly disappointed over the delay.

“Both the Chief Minister and I have been busy with various programmes. We could not find time for the discussions. We will move ahead with the process soon,” said Sunny Joseph, KPCC president.