Published Aug 01, 2026 | 4:57 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 01, 2026 | 6:15 PM
Kerala CM VD Satheesan
Synopsis: The Kerala Mahila Congress has passed a resolution criticising Chief Minister VD Satheesan, accusing him of being unaccountable to the party and urging him to adopt a more respectful approach towards party workers. The resolution followed allegations by Thiruvananthapuram District President Gayatri V Nair that she was insulted after approaching the Chief Minister over a recommendation for the government pleader panel.
Soon after assuming office, Kerala Chief Minister VD Satheesan earned an unusual nickname: the “Pookie CM.” His easy smile, approachable demeanour and light-hearted public interactions stood in sharp contrast to his predecessor, Pinarayi Vijayan, who, over a decade in office, was often criticised by sections of the public and the media for being distant.
The image of a friendly Chief Minister was widely embraced by both the public and the media. Yet beneath that carefully cultivated perception lies a growing political contradiction.
Unlike Pinarayi Vijayan, who rarely faced open criticism from within the CPI(M) or its affiliated organisations during his tenure, Satheesan is increasingly facing questions from leaders within his own political camp.
The latest flashpoint came when the Kerala Mahila Congress unanimously passed a resolution criticising the Chief Minister, urging him to be more accountable to the party, shed the “arrogant” attitude, and engage with party workers more respectfully.
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The resolution, passed at the Kerala Pradesh Mahila Congress state committee meeting chaired by MP Jebi Mather, followed allegations by Thiruvananthapuram District President Gayatri V Nair that she was humiliated when she approached Chief Minister VD Satheesan with a recommendation for inclusion in the government pleader panel.
Copies of the resolution have been forwarded to the Congress leadership, including AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, KC Venugopal, AICC in-charge Deepa Dasmunshi and KPCC President Sunny Joseph.
Speaking to South First, Kerala Pradesh Mahila Congress State General Secretary Subaida Muhammad said she was not present when the resolution was adopted, having left the meeting early to attend another programme.
However, she acknowledged that dissatisfaction exists among sections of the party cadre.
“Many workers have genuine grievances. The Congress returned to power after a decade, so it is natural for those who stood with the party during difficult times to expect recognition and fair treatment. It is the party’s responsibility to accommodate them wherever possible. That does not mean everyone works only for positions or power,” she said.
Drawing a comparison with the previous LDF government, Subaida said party workers expected opportunities in government-linked institutions and contractual appointments after the change in government.
“When the CPI(M) was in power, many of its workers were accommodated in cooperative bodies, societies and contractual government posts. Now our workers also expect similar opportunities. But the government has been in office for only two months. We cannot expect everything to happen overnight. It needs more time,” she added.
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Subaida, responding to allegations that Chief Minister VD Satheesan was inaccessible, said her own experience had been different.
“He has always treated me warmly and with respect. Perhaps that is because I am a senior leader. I cannot comment on how he has interacted with other Mahila Congress leaders,” she said.
Meanwhile, Congress spokesperson VR Anoop appeared to take an indirect swipe at Satheesan through a Facebook post, recalling that former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy “never let power breed arrogance, never feared criticism and never held grudges against those who dissented.”
KPCC General Secretary PM Niyas also weighed in, saying a political organisation becomes stronger by accepting criticism and correcting mistakes rather than dismissing feedback. He further remarked that insulting the KSU was tantamount to insulting its legacy and the sacrifices of its martyrs.
Niyas had earlier opposed the appointment of N Seshadrinanthan as State Election Commissioner, alleging links with the Sangh Parivar, but his objections were not accepted by the party leadership.
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The controversy comes weeks after the KSU objected to the government pleader appointments. At the time, KSU state president Aloshious Xavier said he was unable to secure an appointment with the Chief Minister, while the students’ wing expressed displeasure over the CM’s reported remarks that KSU had no role in the appointments.
Although some units, including the Government Law College KSU in Thiruvananthapuram, criticised the remarks, the organisation ruled out any public confrontation.
The Chief Minister later dismissed reports that he had denied a meeting, and the appointments eventually went ahead after the issue sparked controversy.
Speaking to South First, Aloshious Xavier said the issue was “over” and that he had not followed up on KSU’s concerns over the youth wing’s exclusion from the appointments. “I need to check the matter first. Only after a proper study can I respond,” he said.
When asked about the Chief Minister’s accessibility, Aloshious declined to comment, saying the CM was currently coordinating rain rescue operations. “I will respond only after a proper study,” he added.
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Senior INTUC leader P Sudhakaran from Thiruvananthapuram told South First that the trade union was the first Congress-affiliated organisation to publicly protest against the UDF government and Chief Minister VD Satheesan after the new government assumed office.
“There is some truth in the criticism against the Chief Minister. The image people see in the media—a smiling, approachable leader—is not always what party workers experience. At the same time, we understand that a Chief Minister cannot be a people-pleaser. Running a state comes with its own limitations,” he said.
“However, there is a genuine issue with accessibility. Those of us working at the grassroots expect better access to the Chief Minister’s Office and a mechanism to address our concerns. We are answerable not only to the public but also to party workers who approach us with their grievances,” Sudhakaran said.
Referring to the Kerala government’s recent sanction for CBI prosecution against INTUC state president and former Kerala State Cashew Development Corporation (KSCDC) chairperson R Chandrasekharan and former managing director KA Ratheesh in the alleged multi-crore raw cashew import corruption case, Sudhakaran said the decision should have been taken much earlier.
“It happened only after the controversy and criticism from the court. Muslim League leader PK Kunhalikutty had also advised ministers and party leaders not to attend programmes where Chandrasekharan and Ratheesh were present. If that was the stand, why are they still continuing in their positions?” he asked.
He also questioned why an officer who had served as Additional Private Secretary to former minister V Sivankutty continued to hold an important post.
“A cheerful public image and good public relations may benefit the Chief Minister in the media, but that alone is not enough. If party workers continue to feel neglected, it will eventually affect that image. We are not against our Chief Minister. But remaining silent despite concerns has never been the culture of the Congress,” Sudhakaran added.
