MLA VD Satheesan appointed as Leader of Opposition in Kerala
VD Satheesan, the legislator who represents Paravoor constituency, will be the new opposition leader in Kerala. After a lot of discussions and debate, MP Mallikarjun M Kharge informed leaders in the state about the high command's decision to appoint one of the popular leaders VD Satheesan as opposition leader. There were a lot of factional differences in appointing the Congress Legislative Party leader. With Satheesan's appointment, Congress in Kerala would have a generational change. He replaces Ramesh Chennithala after winning in 2021 Assembly elections with a majority of over 21,000 votes. As per reports, veteran leader Oommen Chandy and Chennithala had objected to the move of appointing Satheesan.
"VD Satheesan will be Kerala’s opposition leader. Youth Congress congratulates Congress leadership. Let's be hard working and be with the people. The new generation should be the leading light. With one mind and one aim, Congress is moving forward. All wishes to VD Satheesan who is appointed as opposition leader," wrote Palakkad MLA Shafi Parambil on Facebook.
Congress MLA Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan told media that we should move forward by agreeing that we failed here. “But that doesn't mean that Congress was vanquished in Kerala, our vote share proves that. So we need to perform better, this move will help,” he added. Names of Chennithala, Satheesan and Congress 'A' group veteran PT Thomas were doing the rounds for the post of opposition leader. But many of the youngsters in the party had been suggesting Satheesan's name. V M Sudheeran, former Congress Committee president, also said that this generational change in Congress leadership is the beginning of a new era. Chennithala also welcomed the high command’s decision and complimented Satheesan, in his statement to the media.
The 56-year-old Satheesan was first elected to the Kerala Assembly in 2001, while he was practicing as an advocate in Kerala High Court. From then till 2021, he was elected to the Assembly consecutively. In 2001, he won from Parur constituency and from 2006 onwards, he has been contesting and winning from Paravur constituency in Ernakulam district.