CPI(M) accuses Satheesan of concentrating authority in a ‘shadowy power group’ centred around the CMO

Thiruvananthapuram The Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] on Tuesday accused Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan of concentrating decision-making authority in an “opaque power group” centred around the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO). CPI(M) State secretary M.V.

Govindan told a press conference that Mr. Satheesan had significantly undermined the constitutional principle of the Council of Ministers’ collective responsibility by concentrating power in a “shadowy coterie representing questionable private interests”. Mr.

Govindan alleged that Mr. Satheesan’s “autocratic style of functioning” had whittled down the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) government’s accountability to the legislature on policy and key decisions, including power purchase agreements with “profit-motivated and predatory” private sector entities. Mr Govindan said the Power Minister and the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president, Sunny Joseph, had publicly expressed outrage at being blindsided by Mr Satheesan’s decision to purchase power from GNA Energy, a private entity, at above-market rates.