Thiruvananthapuram: Nearly two months into office, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan is facing another bout of open dissent within the Congress over his dismissal of the Kerala Students Union’s (KSU’s) criticism of two government pleader appointments.
The latest flashpoint is Satheesan’s response to Congress student wing KSU’s objection to the appointment of two senior government pleaders—Jaeona James and D. S. Sharath—alleging they have past associations with the Students’ Federation of India (SFI) and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS).
Responding to the row after Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, Satheesan dismissed KSU’s criticism, saying it had no role in deciding government appointments and accused sections of the media of unnecessarily amplifying the issue.
Though KSU state president Aloshious Xavier sought to meet the Chief Minister in person Thursday, he said he was denied an appointment, with the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) citing Satheesan’s “tight schedule”.
On Friday afternoon, Xavier attended an event at a college in Kochi where the CM was present, but TV channels captured Satheesan walk past him without acknowledging his presence.
“There is no dispute that this UDF government was built on the blood and sweat of KSU workers like us. But when it came to the appointment of the government pleaders, the government made a mistake. One person who had attacked KSU workers like us was appointed to the position after the UDF came to power. The only mistake I made was conveying the sentiments of KSU workers to the government. If the government feels that was wrong, we are going to repeat that mistake,” Xavier said.
The row deepened as several Congress leaders and functionaries of its affiliated organisations came out openly against Satheesan’s stand, questioning the CM’s accessibility to his own party workers and reviving debates over Satheesan’s meeting with Hindu Aikya Vedi office-bearers K.P. Sasikala Teacher and state president R.V. Babu last week.
On Friday, KPCC spokesperson V.R. Anup said party workers expected greater access to a Congress chief minister.
“If KPCC leaders and KSU functionaries want to meet the Chief Minister, it should be considered. At the very least, they should receive the same consideration that was extended to Hindu Aikya Vedi leaders,” Anup said.
Anup’s remarks also assume significance as he is considered a close supporter of AICC leader K.C. Venugopal, who was seen as a contender for the CM’s post before Satheesan was chosen.
Another Congress leader, Deepthi Mary Varghese, who also rose through the KSU, defended the student organisation, saying it has historically functioned as a corrective force within the Congress.
“KSU has always acted as a corrective force within the party. It has questioned governments and party leadership whenever necessary. I don’t believe any Congress leader would say KSU should not raise concerns,” she said.
‘Criticism should be constructive’
The government, meanwhile, sought to downplay the differences.
Minister A.P. Anilkumar said the KSU was free to express its views but cautioned that criticism should remain constructive. “They have every right to express their opinions. But criticism should be constructive and remain within limits.”
The controversy follows another appointments row that surfaced earlier this month when KPCC general secretary P.M. Niyas publicly opposed the appointment of retired district judge N. Seshadrinathan as the State Election Commissioner.
Niyas urged the government to rethink its choice alleging Seshadrinathan’s ideological links with the RSS and urged the Congress high command to intervene. Despite the objections, the Cabinet went ahead with the appointment.
Similarly, the government’s appointment of a Special Government Pleader to represent Kerala in Sabarimala-related litigation and the appointment of former State Election Commissioner Rathan U. Khelkar as his secretary also became controversial, though the opposition in that case came largely from the CPI(M).
The latest controversy comes against the backdrop of another public disagreement involving the Chief Minister and the Nair Service Society (NSS), further adding to questions over Satheesan’s accessibility to influential organisations.
The controversy began in late June when NSS general secretary G. Sukumaran Nair, addressing an NSS budget meeting, alleged that Satheesan had twice denied him an appointment over an NSS-related file.
The issue resurfaced this week after Satheesan denied the claim, saying he had already spoken to Sukumaran Nair. However, the NSS general secretary rejected the explanation, reiterating that he had not been granted an appointment and was no longer interested in meeting the Chief Minister. On Thursday, NSS workers held a solidarity march in Thiruvananthapuram in support of Sukumaran Nair.