Pinarayi Vijayan accuses Kerala CM Satheesan of bypassing KSEB in GNA power deal
Synopsis
Kerala's Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan has put Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on the defensive over a GNA power purchase deal, alleging that KSEB's cheaper Himachal Pradesh option — cleared by both technical and regulatory scrutiny — was overruled by a unilateral CM decision, potentially saddling consumers with avoidable financial losses.
Key Takeaways
Pinarayi Vijayan accused Kerala CM V.D.
Satheesan of bypassing KSEB and the State Electricity Regulatory Commission to finalise a power deal with GNA on 7 November 2026 .
KSEB 's proposal to purchase power from Himachal Pradesh had cleared technical and financial scrutiny but was reportedly sidelined.
The department minister had recorded an opinion in favour of the Himachal Pradesh option before the CM overruled it, according to Vijayan.
The Regulatory Commission reportedly found no need to purchase power at higher rates between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2027 .
Vijayan demanded that the government make the entire deal file and related correspondence public, alleging the GNA deal imposes an avoidable financial burden on consumers.
Kerala Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday, 7 November 2026, accused Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan of overruling the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) and the State Electricity Regulatory Commission to push through a controversial power purchase agreement with GNA. Vijayan alleged that Satheesan took a unilateral decision that bypassed established institutional procedures, imposing what he described as an avoidable financial burden on both KSEB and electricity consumers across Kerala.
The Core Allegation
Vijayan pointed out that the Chief Minister had, by his own admission, taken the final decision based on a file placed before him. This, the Opposition leader argued, raises a critical question: why was KSEB's own proposal to purchase power from Himachal Pradesh — which had already cleared both technical and financial scrutiny — set aside in favour of the GNA offer?
He noted that the department minister had also recorded an opinion in favour of the Himachal Pradesh option following consultations at the official level. 'On what legal and other criteria did the Chief Minister decide to accept the GNA offer?' Vijayan asked.
Questions Over KSEB's Objections
The Opposition leader alleged that KSEB had flagged to the government that the GNA deal would result in huge financial losses, and that the Chief Engineer had submitted a detailed examination report raising concerns. He questioned whether selectively quoting a few lines from a note written by Rajamanickam, the then KSEB Managing Director, could erase the broader objections the Board had raised.
Vijayan demanded that the government make the entire file and the letter received by it public, arguing that withholding these documents only deepened suspicion. 'If the government had nothing to hide, why were the entire file and the letter received by it not made public?' he asked.
Regulatory Commission's Findings Ignored, Vijayan Claims
Vijayan also sought clarity on whether the State Electricity Regulatory Commission had concluded that there was no need to purchase power at higher rates between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2027. If that assessment was incorrect, he asked, what legal action had the government taken against the Commission's findings?
The Opposition leader alleged that by rejecting the views of KSEB, the Regulatory Commission, and even the department minister, Chief Minister Satheesan had acted in a manner inconsistent with due process, creating what Vijayan described as 'confusion and ambiguity to evade scrutiny.'
Government Yet to Respond Substantively
As of the time of this report, the Chief Minister's office had not issued a detailed response to the specific procedural questions raised by Vijayan. The controversy places the Satheesan-led government under fresh pressure to disclose the full sequence of approvals — or non-approvals — that led to the GNA power purchase agreement being finalised. The Opposition is expected to escalate the matter in the coming days, with calls for a full document disclosure growing louder.
Point of View
The regulatory authority, and his own department minister, the question is no longer procedural; it becomes one of accountability. Satheesan's government has so far responded with selective document disclosure, which only amplifies Vijayan's core charge. The bigger risk here is to consumer tariffs: if the Regulatory Commission's finding that costlier power was unnecessary between November 2026 and March 2027 holds up, ratepayers may ultimately foot a bill that institutional checks were specifically designed to prevent.
NationPress
7 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the GNA power purchase deal controversy in Kerala?
The controversy centres on a decision by Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan to finalise a power purchase agreement with GNA, allegedly bypassing KSEB's preferred and cheaper option of sourcing power from Himachal Pradesh. Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan alleges the deal overruled KSEB, the Electricity Regulatory Commission, and even the department minister's recommendation, imposing unnecessary financial losses on the electricity board and consumers.
What did KSEB recommend instead of the GNA deal?
KSEB had proposed purchasing power from Himachal Pradesh, a proposal that had reportedly undergone both technical and financial scrutiny and received a favourable opinion from the department minister. Vijayan alleges this option was set aside in favour of the more expensive GNA agreement without adequate justification.
What role did the Kerala Electricity Regulatory Commission play?
According to Vijayan, the State Electricity Regulatory Commission had indicated there was no need to purchase power at higher rates between 1 November 2026 and 31 March 2027. He has asked why the government proceeded with the GNA deal despite this finding, and what legal steps, if any, were taken if the Commission's assessment was considered incorrect.
Why is Vijayan demanding full file disclosure?
Vijayan argues that the government's refusal to release the entire deal file and related correspondence suggests it has something to hide. He contends that selectively quoting the then-KSEB Managing Director Rajamanickam's note does not address the Board's broader objections, and that transparency is essential to determine whether due process was followed.
What happens next in this controversy?
The Opposition is expected to escalate the matter, with Vijayan pressing for a full document disclosure from the Satheesan government. If the government continues to withhold the complete file, the issue is likely to be raised in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, where it could become a significant point of political pressure on the ruling dispensation.
