V D Satheesan smooths over party faultlines, ensures seamless cabinet formation

Thiruvananthapuram: While groupism in the Congress came out in the open yet again during the Kerala Chief Minister selection, V D Satheesan, who won the race to the CM post, could ensure a smooth start for his government.

He could finalise all members to the cabinet without any hiccups and the entire cabinet sworn-in together.

As AICC general secretary (organisation) K C Venugopal seems to have received an upperhand in the selection of ministers and senior leader Ramesh Chennithala given the key home portfolio, voices of resentment from the two camps could be averted.

Satheesan could pacify a visibly upset Chennithala by engaging in constant talks with him and giving due regards to Chennithala's seniority. He also gave high regards for Venugopal's key roles in the party.

As many close to Satheesan could not find a place in the cabinet, he himself said that in order to maintain regional and social balances in the cabinet, many deserving MLAs had to be left out.

With the Latin Catholic church openly expressing resentment over lack of representation of the community in the cabinet, Satheesan held conciliatory talks with them.

Political analysts point out that since Satheeshan is enjoying much mass support, there was little scope for groupism to play the spoil sport

"The political survival of all the ministers mostly depends on the pleasure of the Chief Minister, especially when the Chief Minister is having much mass support. Hence, group allegiance of ministers may not affect Satheesan until he enjoys the mass support,' says senior journalist John Mary.