UDF convener Adoor Prakash
| Photo Credit: R.K. Nithin
The tensions simmering within the ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) in Keralam exploded on Thursday (October 1, 2026), with its convener Adoor Prakash coming out openly against Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and stating that he was being “kept in the dark about important government decisions.”
Expressing his strong displeasure at a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram, Mr. Prakash indicated that the Chief Minister, in his capacity as UDF chairman, had not taken the initiative to convene a meeting of the UDF. Mr. Prakash added that, as UDF convener, he had become aware of several decisions taken by Mr. Satheesan’s government “through the media.”
According to him, he was not informed about Wednesday’s Cabinet decision to appoint IUML leader M.K. Muneer as chairman of the State Administrative Reforms Commission and Forward Bloc leader G. Devarajan as the State government’s representative in New Delhi, two positions that carry Cabinet rank.
Pointing out that his own appointment was made by the All India Congress Committee (AICC), Mr. Prakash said he would convey his dissatisfaction over the developments to the Congress leadership.
Mr. Prakash said that his remarks should not be misunderstood as an attempt to blame the Chief Minister, but should be viewed in the “light of his experience”.
“Anyhow, I was not aware of these decisions as the UDF convener. They were taken without my knowledge,” he said.
‘Unfortunate’
Mr. Prakash added that he did not expect the Chief Minister, working within a busy schedule, to inform him of each and every decision. But even so, it was “unfortunate” if the UDF convener should become aware of decisions through the media, he said.
The UDF coordination committee last met on July 30, but important decisions, including appointments to the top posts in corporations and boards under government departments, are pending. Many of the posts are still held by individuals appointed by the previous CPI(M)-led LDF government, he observed.
“The UDF has not been able to convene a meeting. As UDF chairman, the Chief Minister has to take the initiative. But as chairman, he has not said anything, and so the UDF has not met. Decisions are pending on many matters,” he said. “It is unfortunate that I cannot give adequate replies to questions on the developments in the UDF when I’m asked about them. There is no point in hiding these things. The people should also be aware of it,” he said.
On the appointment of Mr. Muneer and Mr. Devarajan, he said he did not question their eligibility. But neither was there any discussion whatsoever, nor was he informed about the Cabinet decision, Mr. Prakash said. “I’m saying this as the UDF should have known about it,” he said.
Bypoll setback
Mr. Prakash’s outburst also comes on the heels of a setback suffered by the UDF in the bypolls held to 38 local body wards. He pointed to a lack of coordination on the UDF’s side. The power crisis had also caused dissatisfaction among the people, according to him.
On the recent “sponsorship” controversy regarding Mr. Satheesan’s chartered flight to disaster-hit Nilambur, Mr. Prakash said the Chief Minister should “explain such matters in a way that convinces the people.”
On whether he had expressed his concerns to Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president and Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph, he said the opportunity had not come.
On the appointment of a full-time KPCC president, he said a decision had to come quickly to ensure strong leadership for the party’s State unit.
Published – October 01, 2026 04:06 pm IST
