Energy crisis: CPI(M) announces protest against candles on July 26, Power Minister Sunny Joseph calls it ‘politically motivated’

Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph | Photo credit: (File)

Even as the CPI(M) planned a nationwide candlelight vigil on Sunday (July 26) against what it called the Congress-led UDF government’s failure to ensure uninterrupted power supply, Electricity Minister Sunny Joseph condemned the move, calling it “politically motivated” and seeking to hide his own past failures while in power.

CPI(M) state secretary MV Govindan said that the candlelight vigil will be held on Sunday at 7 pm and urged all households to participate.

Reacting to the CPI(M) announcement, Mr. Joseph described it as ill-timed and said the people would reject it. Mr. Joseph further added that the State Government and the Kerala State Electricity Board are in the process of preparing measures to solve the power crisis. Electric curbs were only required for a few days and people were notified. However, the CPI(M)’s propaganda that the UDF government is responsible for the crisis is baseless, he said.

One of the reasons for the current crisis is the cancellation of a number of long-term electricity supply contracts totaling 465 MW during the tenure of the LDF government. Further, the LDF government also failed to take over the Maniyar small hydropower project in Pathanamthitta district from Carborundum Universal Ltd, he said.

The previous government failed to resume operations in the Barapole hydel project. The UDF government is taking steps to resolve the issues related to this project, Mr. Joseph said.

Meanwhile, the CPI(M) is also planning to stage protests against the operational crisis faced by local bodies under the UDF government due to cuts in the plan fund, he said. On July 30, the people’s representatives of the LDF will march to the secretariat. Protests will be held at panchayat offices on August 1 and 3.

Published – 24 Jul 2026 23:53 IST