Chacko faction of NCP-SP steps up demand to remove Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran from Kerala Cabinet

The bitter power struggle in the Kerala unit of Nationalist Congress Party-Sharadchandra Pawar (NCP-SP) over the  replacement of Minister for Forest and Wildlife A.K. Saseendran with its second legislator Thomas K. Thomas in the Cabinet has resurfaced, with party’s State president P.C. Chacko attempting to hold parleys with  national president Sharad Pawar and former Communist Party of India (Marxist) [CPI(M)] general secretary Prakash Karat in New Delhi.

Mr. Thomas told journalists in New Delhi that Mr. Pawar and Mr. Karat had held discussions on Tuesday and Mr. Chacko would hold discussions with Mr. Pawar on Wednesday, after which a final decision would be known.

The core of the conflict revolves around a long-pending demand of the rival faction that the Cabinet berths be shared between two MLAs with each serving approximately two-and-a-half years. With less than 18 months remaining before the next Assembly polls, the unresolved issue has again triggered internal strife in the party.

Sources said that Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan wants Mr. Saseendran to continue in the Cabinet rather than Mr. Thomas taking over the post for multiple reasons, including his socialist credentials.

Mr. Vijayan has been using his prerogative as Chief Minister in choosing his colleagues in the Cabinet all these months, despite the NCP-SP State president seeking Mr. Saseendran’s removal.

Whether the pressure tactics of the Chacko faction would work is yet to be seen. However, it had become more adamant now putting forth a proposal that if Mr. Thomas is not inducted into the Cabinet, then the party, which is a constituent of the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front, would rather remain without a Minister, sources said.

But that would be political suicide for the party with two legislators without a Cabinet berth. More than that, the party, which had already split at the national level, would be break into two in Kerala if Mr. Saseendran continues in his ministerial post, the sources said.

Published - December 17, 2024 08:27 pm IST