Escalating Tensions in NCP-SP's Kerala Unit Over Ministerial Change

Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 19 (NationPress) The discord in the Nationalist Congress Party-Sharad Pawar's (NCP-SP) Kerala unit concerning the substitution of its state Forest Minister A.K. Saseendran with party colleague Thomas K. Thomas escalated on Thursday as the former publicly criticized state party leader P.C. Chacko.

Saseendran stated, "The President is causing an unnecessary stir over the cabinet position change. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has informed him about it three times already."

In response, Chacko, displeased with the developments, remarked that if the party cannot determine its nominee for the cabinet, then there is little purpose in his continuation as state President.

Chacko, a former Congress MP who left his party a few years ago to join his mentor Sharad Pawar, was appointed as state chief upon his entry into the NCP-SP.

Within Kerala, the NCP-SP is a member of the CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front, holding two legislative seats—those of Saseendran and Thomas.

Since November 2023, the party's Kerala unit has faced unrest, as Thomas has insisted on the previously agreed-upon arrangement—where Saseendran would resign after two and a half years to allow him to take the position.

This agreement contrasts with the practices of other LDF constituents with single legislators, who step aside to accommodate nominees from new parties. However, Saseendran has not complied, further heightening tensions. Three months ago, Chacko, Saseendran, and Thomas met with Pawar, who instructed Thomas to take over.

On Wednesday, Thomas returned after meeting Pawar and continues to await developments.

There's speculation that Vijayan is quite displeased after Thomas and Chacko persuaded Pawar to reach out to the CPI-M's acting General Secretary Prakash Karat, advocating for Thomas to be appointed as Minister.

With Saseendran publicly criticizing his state chief, it remains uncertain if Thomas will secure the sought-after Ministerial role.

Vijayan is also irked at Thomas following allegations that he offered money to two Left-affiliated legislators to switch allegiance to the NCP faction led by Ajit Pawar. However, Chacko swiftly intervened, prompting a party-level investigation that exonerated Thomas of all accusations.

Thomas, sibling of the late former state minister Thomas Chandy, has played a significant role in the NCP's Kerala unit. Chandy, a businessman turned politician, represented the Kuttanadu Assembly constituency in Alappuzha district until his death in 2019. During Chandy's tenure, it was Thomas who managed the constituency on his behalf. In the 2021 Assembly elections, the NCP nominated Thomas for the Kuttanadu seat, which he won comfortably. However, when Pinarayi Vijayan's cabinet was formed later that year, the party opted to keep Saseendran for another term, sidelining Thomas.

Now, with Vijayan seemingly uninterested in Thomas, the next steps of Chacko and Thomas are under close scrutiny.