In veiled dig at Satheesan, UDF convener Adoor Prakash questions delay in convening meeting of ruling front

UDF convener Adoor Prakash, MP

In a veiled dig at Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, senior Congress leader and United Democratic Front (UDF) convenor Adoor Prakash on Tuesday questioned the delay in convening a meeting of the ruling front, signalling continuing differences within the coalition.

When reporters asked why the UDF had not met recently, Mr. Prakash said the question should be directed to its chairman, a post held by Mr. Satheesan. “This question should be asked to the UDF chairman,” he said.

However, the senior leader denied that he had expressed dissatisfaction with the functioning of the government recently, saying he had only voiced certain opinions and remained firm on them. “I have not expressed any dissatisfaction. I only voiced certain opinions, and I stand by them,” he told reporters.

He also said that it was not necessary for him to be informed about every matter being taken by the Cabinet in his capacity as UDF convenor.

Responding to Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Sunny Joseph’s reported remark that he was learning about certain developments through the media, Mr. Prakash said the question should be directed to Mr. Joseph, adding that he might have made the observation in his capacity as a Minister.

“What is emerging now is proof of collective responsibility in the Cabinet,” he said, adding that a decision on appointments to chairperson posts in boards and corporations should be taken without further delay.

His remarks come a month after he publicly expressed displeasure over the functioning of the ruling front and the Chief Minister, alleging that he was being kept out of several important decisions and had to learn about them through the media.

Prakash, a senior Lok Sabha MP and former minister, had then described the situation as “serious neglect” of the UDF convenor and said he would formally convey his strong dissatisfaction to the AICC.

“A convenor of a front, holding a responsible position, having to learn about important government policies and decisions through news reports in newspapers and television channels amounts to serious neglect,” he had said.