Pinarayi or V.S. Achuthanandan – who would become chief minister if the LDF was voted to power? This question had been doing the rounds even before the date of announcement of Kerala assembly polls. However, the front could sort out the issue amicably and reach an understanding on the leadership dispute. It is also worth mentioning that there were no delays or uncertainty over the formation and composition of the new Council of Ministers.
Prior to this, the State witnessed such a quick and smooth process perhaps during the formation of the first government of the erstwhile state of Travancore. That cabinet comprised just three ministers: chief minister Pattom A. Thanu Pillai and ministers T. M. Varghese and C. Kesavan. Not a single Muslim found his way into the Ministry and there was no women’s representation. At the time, Travancore was divided into three districts namely, Trivandrum, Quilon and Kottayam. Thanu Pillai was a native of Thiruvananthapuram while Varghese, a well-known lawyer, and Kesavan hailed from Quilon. There was no representation in the Cabinet for Kottayam as well. But nobody raised a hue and cry about it because those three were the top leaders of the Indian freedom movement from the State.
Pinarayi cabinet's initial decisions set the tone for a popular govt
Now, let’s take a look at the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF ministry which assumed charge on Wednesday. Though the lack of representation for many of the districts could have been a bone of contention, I don’t see it as a major drawback. When the chief minister explained that the council of ministers was picked up only on merit without taking geographical and social aspects into considerations, the party cadres and the general public accepted it only because of the implicit faith they reposed in him.
During the pre-independence period when the Indian National Congress emerged as the ruling party in three States, its leadership agreed to induct at least one female representative into the Cabinet. In the post-independence era, many of the States went a step further by appointing women as their chief ministers. However, the proportion of women in ministries in Kerala had remained low in terms of comparative figures of many other Indian States. Now, by including two proven women administrators in the cabinet, the LDF could go the extra distance to increase female representation.
Most of the members of the new ministry are in their 60s. Since the State is witnessing a demographic transition with a rise in the proportion of aged in the total population, the average age of the new cabinet could be seen as a reflection of the society. That said, the minimal representation of youth in the cabinet is indeed a cause for concern.
Since the Union Cabinet has several branches to oversee specific aspects of government, it is easier to ensure youth representation in the Council of Ministers. Although the States do not follow such a system, main political parties had always believed in giving a fair chance to new and deserving candidates.
Due to the presence of several senior contenders at the top level, preference to youth brigade still remains a distant dream in any party. The CPM needs to deliberate on this issue to ensure greater representation for youngsters in the party.
Pinarayi Vijayan, who had served as the electricity minister in the E. K. Nayanar ministry in the late nineties was an able administrator and a quick and decisive decision-maker, remember those who were his subordinates during that period. A minister becomes a good minister only when he convinces his subordinates about the well-conceived policies and ensures that they are being implemented with utmost sincerity.
Being the head of the government, it is the chief minister’s responsibility to assess the performance of the other members in the cabinet and ensure effective delivery of services to the people. In coalition politics, it is not an easy task to perform. However, a strong-willed leader like Pinarayi Vijayan will definitely be able to stand up to such challenges.
During his term as the electricity minister, Pinarayi Vijayan had maintained a cordial relationship with mediapersons. It became fractious when he took over as the party secretary. I believe that he will once again become popular outside the party circles, as well as the darling of the media.
The promise he made prior to assuming charge that the new government would work to ensure the welfare of all, does augur well for the State’s democracy. There is a general notion that no person would be able to have access to their rights if he/she is not supported by, or affiliated with, any religious, caste or political organisations or entities. As a result, lots of middlemen, including politicians, have emerged to exploit the situation, of late.
If Pinarayi Vijayan’s government is able to keep such impersonators at bay and treat every citizens equal cutting across the political, caste and ideological divide, it will mark the dawn of a new political culture in Kerala. (The writer is a former journalist and a human rights activist. The views are personal)
