1 hr ago
Satheesan Says Decisions Follow Congress Policies Amid UDF Rift
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan has answered criticism from coalition leader Adoor Prakash.
Prakash said he was left out of discussions about some government decisions.
He also said the coalition had not met recently.
Satheesan said he discusses policy decisions with senior Congress leaders.
He said everyday administrative decisions do not need to be discussed with the party.
Satheesan added that anyone in Congress can disagree with or criticise him.
He said he would listen if someone thinks he is wrong.
The disagreement has exposed a rift within the ruling coalition.
Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan said he consults senior Congress leaders on policy decisions.
His comments followed criticism from United Democratic Front convenor Adoor Prakash.
Prakash said he was not consulted about Cabinet-ranking posts for the Indian Union Muslim League and Forward Bloc.
Prakash also said UDF meetings had not been held recently and that he learned of important developments through the media.
Satheesan said party members, including young leaders, can disagree with and criticise him.
- Who
- Kerala Chief Minister V D Satheesan and United Democratic Front convenor Adoor Prakash.
- What
- Satheesan defended his decision-making and said policy decisions are made with party leaders, following Prakash's criticism.
- Where
- Kerala; Satheesan's comments were made in an interview with PTI Videos.
- When
- Satheesan spoke on Friday; the article does not give a calendar date.
- Why
- Prakash had complained that he was not consulted about important decisions and that UDF meetings had not been convened.
Satheesan's position
Prakash's criticism
Consultation on decisions
Satheesan's position
Satheesan said policy matters are discussed with party leaders and that his Cabinet includes a broad cross-section of Congress leaders.
Prakash's criticism
Prakash said he was not informed about the allocation of two Cabinet-ranking posts to coalition partners.
UDF coordination
Satheesan's position
Satheesan said day-to-day administrative matters do not need to be discussed with the party and said party policies guide policy decisions.
Prakash's criticism
Prakash said the UDF had not met recently, that Satheesan had not taken the initiative to convene a meeting, and that he learned of important developments through the media.
Key facts
- Chief minister
- V D Satheesan
- Critic
- Adoor Prakash, UDF convenor
- Party
- Indian National Congress
- Cabinet appointments at issue
- Two Cabinet-ranking posts given to the Indian Union Muslim League and Forward Bloc
- Satheesan's position
- He said policy matters are discussed with party leaders, while day-to-day administrative matters do not require party discussion.
- Prakash's complaint
- He said the UDF had not met for some time and that he was learning about important developments through the media.
- Interview
- PTI Videos
Quotes
V D Satheesan
Kerala chief minister
“The Congress is a different party. It is not like the BJP. I am the chief minister of the state, and anyone in the party can disagree with me. They can even criticise me, including youngsters who are coming up in the party. I am not above criticism. If they point out that I am wrong, I will listen to them. If I believe they are mistaken, I will try to convince them.”
deccanchronicle.com
“For policy matters, I will discuss with party. For administrative matters there is no need to discuss with the party, right? Day today affairs there is no need to discuss with the party. For policy matter, the party will lead us. Party's policies we are implementing.”
deccanchronicle.com
Sources
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