A ‘balanced’ chief minister

Here are some important facts about Vadasserry Damodara Menon (VD) Satheesan, who has just become chief minister of Kerala, heading the United Democratic Front (UDF) government, led by the Congress.

- ADITI PHADNIS

PLAIN POLITICS

He is one of the very, very few Congress politicians who are faction-free. The Congress in Kerala is a paradox: In the unit, it is the factions that manage the equilibrium of power and prevent the party from disappearing altogether as it has done in many other states. From the famed A K Antony-K Karunakaran clash to the rise of Oommen Chandy, who co-opted the leadership traits (and supporters) from both groups, divisions in the Congress in the state are also the glue that holds the party together. After he lost his first election (Paravur Assembly constituency, 1996), Mr Satheesan declined blandishments by groups. Mr Antony, former chief minister and former defence minister, was fond of him. Mr Satheesan accepted good wishes but stayed autonomous. In that sense, politically, he is a self-made man, hence the hint of arrogance that tends to creep into his tone occasionally.

The exception was former speaker G Karthikeyan, who spotted the young man in 1996 and sought support from both Mr Antony and Karunakaran to back him. He contested the same seat in the 2001 Assembly elections, won, and has held it ever since. In 2000, Mr Karthikeyan predicted he would be chief minister one day. He was Mr Satheesan’s political mentor, a fact that the chief minister acknowledges publicly.