Top Kerala Ministers Meet Behind Closed Doors Amid Power Group Row

Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala, and Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph held a closed-door meeting at the Cliff House on Wednesday, November 11. Official sources say the discussion resolved perceived differences between the leaders and agreed to stop giving the Opposition political ammunition through public statements. The meeting also focused on speeding up the delayed division of boards and corporations among ruling front allies in the Congress-led United Democratic Front.

The Controversy

The closed-door talks follow a major political row over allegations that an unelected "power group" aligned with the Chief Minister's Office bypassed the Cabinet in key decisions. Tensions peaked when Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph, who also serves as Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president, admitted he learned about a now-revoked power purchase agreement with private vendor General Network Access through the media. UDF convener Adoor Prakash added to the discomfort by making veiled criticisms about collective responsibility and telling reporters to ask Ministers directly.

Opposition Demands

The Left Democratic Front Opposition has demanded a judicial inquiry into the deal. The LDF alleges the government faked a power crisis to rush through an emergency purchase from General Network Access without open tenders and without approval from the Kerala State Electricity Regulatory Commission. CPI(M) leader P. Rajeeve claimed General Network Access is a digital platform charging heavy commissions rather than a licensed power generator, and accused the Chief Minister of sidelining the Electricity Minister to push the deal. Leader of the Opposition Pinarayi Vijayan claimed the government dropped the dubious contract only after the LDF exposed the false power shortage. Chief Minister Satheesan dismissed the accusations as a storm in a teacup, explaining that the government merely looked at options to handle a potential shortage predicted by the Kerala State Electricity Board before dropping them as power availability improved.

Context

Internal disagreements within ruling alliances often create openings for political opponents to question government transparency and decision-making. Power purchase agreements and regulatory clearances frequently attract intense scrutiny from opposition parties in Indian states. Resolving such friction quickly helps ruling coalitions project a united front before upcoming legislative challenges.