Adoor Prakash hints at dissatisfaction over decision making concentrated in Keralam CMO

United Democratic Front (UDF) convener and MP Adoor Prakash has once again taken a dig at Keralam Chief Minister VD Satheesan, questioning the functioning of the Cabinet and suggesting that recent developments have exposed shortcomings in adhering to the principle of collective responsibility among Ministers.

Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, November 10, Prakash sarcastically remarked that there was now sufficient evidence of collective responsibility within the Cabinet. His comments came amid growing discontent over allegations that the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) was taking important policy and administrative decisions without adequately consulting the ministers concerned.

When asked whether UDF ministers were unhappy with the manner in which decisions were being taken, Prakash said, "You should ask the Cabinet ministers."

He also remarked that "evidence of collective responsibility is trickling out into the open", in an apparent reference to the reported differences between the Chief Minister and members of his Cabinet, especially Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph.

When questioned about the delay in convening a UDF meeting, Prakash said that the responsibility rested with the Chief Minister, who is also the chairman of the ruling coalition. "The convening of UDF meetings is the sole prerogative of the UDF chairperson (CM Satheesan)," he said.

His remarks came a day after Minister Sunny Joseph publicly expressed displeasure over decisions regarding power purchase agreements with General Access Network (GNA) Energy, a private sector entity. He had reportedly said that he came to know about developments concerning the agreement only through the media.

The Chief Minister subsequently decided to scrap the GNA power purchase deal on November 9.

The controversy has intensified political scrutiny over the alleged concentration of decision-making powers in the CMO and the extent to which Cabinet ministers are being consulted on major government decisions.

CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan also raised the issue hours after Prakash's remarks, alleging that CM Satheesan had undermined the constitutional principle of collective responsibility of the Cabinet by concentrating power in what he described as a "shadowy coterie representing questionable private interests centred on the CMO."

Govindan reportedly cited the grievances of several ministers, including Sunny Joseph, Excise Minister M Liju and Health Minister K Muraleedharan, claiming that they had been kept out of important policy and administrative decisions.

He alleged that Minister Liju had learnt about the issuance of multiple bar licences through the media, while Minister Muraleedharan had felt that the CMO had superseded him in administrative matters.

Prakash's latest remarks follow his public criticism of the Chief Minister on October 1, when he expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of consultation within the UDF on important political and administrative decisions.

Prakash had then questioned the delay in convening coalition meetings and expressed resentment over learning about important appointments, including the appointment of Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) leader and former minister MK Muneer as chairman of the Administrative Reforms Commission, through the media. He had also reportedly conveyed his dissatisfaction to the Congress national leadership over what he viewed as a lack of consultation in the functioning of the ruling alliance.

The controversy also comes amid discussions within the Congress over organisational appointments and the selection of a new Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president to replace Sunny Joseph, who was made Minister.