VD Satheesan is confident that the United Democratic Front (UDF) will return to power in Kerala after 10 years of riding on Congress’s organizational preparedness and surge of support. In an interview with The Hindu, he reiterated that he would quit politics if the UDF did not win the Kerala polls. Excerpts.
After being in opposition for 10 years, it is do or die for the Congress in Kerala. How is the party ready?
It was a difficult situation for us because we lost twice in a row. When party leaders and workers were demoralized, the first duty was to raise their morale. In general, those in opposition often lose by-elections. However, we won them in Kerala by a huge margin. We recorded impressive victories in parliamentary elections and civic polls.
We started preparations for Mission 2026 a year ago. We managed to bring 90% of the social groups that left the United Democratic Front (UDF). Now the UDF is not just a confederation of political parties but a wider political platform with political parties, opinion makers, social groups and even left wing fellow passengers on board.
Previously, there were several groups in the party that fought with each other. Now it is all over and no group has any dominance over the party. We have a collective leadership where we discuss problems, make decisions and implement them. At the same time, the CPI(M) is facing an internal revolt and a large number of leaders have left the party. The CPI(M) is disintegrating in Kerala as it has in West Bengal and Tripura.
In presenting the indictment against the government, we presented alternative programs and projects. After the conclaves, we came up with proposals to improve the health and education sectors. We turn to people with concrete plans and projects to solve the problems facing the state.
What is the situation on the ground? Is there a surge in favor of the UDF?
There is huge opposition to the government. A large part of society is against the government. Many fellow Leftists are now openly saying that there should be no continuity in the government, fearing that such a situation will destroy the party.
People’s lives became miserable. Kerala is the number one state in terms of price rise and there has been no market intervention to stop the price rise. This was the most ineffective government Kerala had ever seen.
What do you think are three failures of government?
First is the fiscal situation. Kerala is in a huge debt trap. The government mismanaged the financial situation. It has also failed in health, education, agriculture and social security. Third is the theft of gold in Sabarimala. Three senior CPI(M) leaders were arrested in the case. The Chief Minister’s Office is putting pressure on the Special Investigation Team (SIT) set up by the Kerala High Court. The SIT could not even file a preliminary charge in the case.
All the accused are out on statutory bail and are busy removing evidence. Although three of its senior leaders were arrested in the case, the CPI (M) did not take any disciplinary action against them, fearing that they might reveal the names and role of some ministers or former ministers in the case.
In the last 10 years, Congress could send fewer than 25 legislators to the assembly. You need to at least double it to try to get back to power.
Answer: The Party’s efforts to bring the social groups back into its hands will have an impact and bring good results. The return of social groups, the anti-incumbency factor and organizational preparations will help the party improve its performance. LDF will lose many of its seats.
Even as the Congress is pinning its hopes on the anti-incumbency factor, the CPI(M) has fielded more than 50 of its sitting MLAs, which many see as a reflection of its confidence in the work he has done.
Adjourning the MLA session may not bring the desired results. MLA popularity may not translate into poll results. Popularity can work in some individual cases. But it may not survive the general trend.
The BJP is said to be gearing up for the 2031 elections, hoping to tap into the Congress voter base. The BJP also managed to win over some Congress and Left leaders to its side.
The BJP has been unsuccessfully trying to do so since 2005. However, their vote share has declined in recent civic polls. BJP struck a deal with CPI(M) to defeat Congress. There could be a triangular fight in five or six places. It is a direct fight between LDF and UDF for the rest of the seats.
Even though Congress and CPI(M) are part of the INDIA block, they are fighting against each other in Kerala. Congress President Rahul Gandhi and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan have been very critical of each other recently.
It was the Chief Minister who started abusing Mr. Gandhi and even went to the extent of calling the Congress the ‘B’ team of the BJP. Mr. Gandhi is one person who is fighting against the communalism of BJP. It is a symbol of the fight against communalism and fascism.
You had earlier stated that you would go into political exile if you failed to bring the Congress back to power.
Yes. If I fail to bring UDF back to power, I will definitely quit politics. My responsibility is to bring UDF back to power. If I fail and accept responsibility, I will withdraw from politics and go into political exile.
